THE TERRORISM threat level remains severe in the UK today, as counter-terrorism police search a disused pub in a Herefordshire town.

The level was raised from substantial to severe on November 3, in the wake of the terrorist attacks in France and Austria.

Speaking after the attacks earlier this month, head of counter terrorism policing, assistant commissioner Neil Basu, said: “At this time, there is no intelligence to link any of these attacks to the UK, and officers from Counter Terrorism Policing continue to work closely with our international partners and will of course provide any assistance where we can.

“Today, the threat level from terrorism has changed from substantial to severe as a precautionary measure in response to the events in France and Austria. This threat level moving to severe means it is highly likely that a terrorist attack could happen in the UK, but I want to stress that the change is not based on a specific threat.

“However I do urge the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to police. Now, more than ever, we need communities to stand together and reject those who seek to sow division and hatred between us. We need communities and families to bring to our attention anyone they perceive may be vulnerable, a danger or escalating towards terrorism."

Counter-terrorism police descended on Ross-on-Wye yesterday, with officers remaining on site at the Riverside Inn in Wye Street today (November 19), after the arrest of a 43-year-old man from Gloucestershire.

Read more: Counter-terrorism police search disused Herefordshire pub

Police confirmed to the Hereford Times this morning (November 19) that the search at the property in Wye Street, Ross-on-Wye is being carried out as part of an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing South East.

Two marked police cars remain parked outside the building, where police activity continues today, but police at the scene were unable to provide any further information.

Also read: Police search at Riverside Inn: Why pub stands empty

Severe is the second highest level out of five, behind critical which means an attack is expected imminently. The other three levels are substantial (an attack is a strong possibility), moderate (an attack is possible but not likely), and low (an attack is unlikely).

The level was first made public in 2006. Since then, it has most often been at the severe level, and not been lower than substantial.

The critical level has been in place four times over the 14-year period: in August 2006, following a plot to detonate explosives on transatlantic flights; June 2007 over an attempted car bomb attack at Glasgow Airport; and in May and September 2017 after the Manchester Arena bombing and the Parsons Green District line attack respectively.