London: Britain lifted its national security threat level to critical from severe on Saturday, meaning an attack is expected, after a bomb on a London commuter train injured 29 people.
Prime Minister Theresa May said in a televised statement that armed police and members of the military would be seen on the streets in the coming days. “For this period, military personnel will replace police officers on guard duties at certain protected sites that are not accessible to the public,” she said.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack, fifth major terrorism attack in Britain this year.
The last time Britain was put on “critical” alert was after a suicide bomber killed 22 people, including children, at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester in May. Prior to that it had not been triggered since 2007.
Police has arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of a terror offence in connection with Friday’s attack. Armed police are searching a house in Surrey, where nearby residents have been evacuated, BBC reported.
