UK Threat Level Increased to Critical; UK Remains Resolute and United

The UK threat level has been increased to critical following the disruption of a major terrorist plot to target UK flights. Following Thursday's police action, security at all UK airports has been increased and additional security measures have been put in place for all flights.

The Department for Transport has issued important travel advice to anyone travelling from a UK airport.

Dr. John Reid, the Home Secretary, issued the following statement Thursday morning about the security situation:
'"Overnight the police, with the full knowledge of Ministers, have carried out a major counter-terrorism operation to disrupt what we believe to be a major threat to the UK and international partners."

"The police," said Reid, " acting with the Security Service MI5, are investigating an alleged plot to bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions, causing a considerable loss of life. The police believe the alleged plot was a very significant one indeed."

"At 2am this morning the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre raised the UK threat state to its highest level -- 'Critical'. This is a precautionary measure. We are doing everything possible to disrupt any further terrorist activity. This will mean major disruption at all UK airports from today. But as far as is possible we want people to go about their business as normal.''

Later on Thursday, Dr Reid and other government officials spoke at a press conference in which they thanked the public and visitors to Britain for their patience amid the travel chaos at airports, and warned that the security measures could stay in place for some time.

The plot investigators believe they've uncovered, he said, ''has global dimensions.'' If it had gone forward, he said, it would have ''caused a loss of life on an unprecedented scale.''

He explained that, while police and security services believe they have arrested most if not all of the main perpetrators, they felt it necessary to put strict security measures into place at airports and to raise the threat level in order to be certain that people would be protected.

He praised police and security agencies for their work, and called on the people of the UK to be resolute and united in the coming days.