THE UK’s terrorism threat level has been downgraded to “substantial” from “severe”, meaning an attack is now “likely” rather than “highly likely”, Home Secretary Priti Patel said.

The decision was announced in a written ministerial statement to Parliament on Monday.

In it, she said: “Despite the change in the threat level, terrorism remains one of the most direct and immediate risks to our national security.

“Substantial continues to indicate a high level of threat; and an attack might well occur without further warning.

“As ever, the public should remain vigilant and report any concerns they may have to the police.

“Government, police and intelligence agencies will continue to work tirelessly to address the threat posed by terrorism in all its forms. The threat level is kept under constant review.”

The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) - part of MI5 - makes the decision on the threat level independently of Government ministers, after weighing up intelligence and known terrorist groups.

It was raised to “critical” in May 2017 after the Manchester Arena bombing and later downgraded to “severe”, the level it has remained at since September 2017.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told a Westminster briefing: “This is a decision made independently by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre.”