The Northern Ireland threat level
The UK actually has more than one terrorism threat level. Alongside the national level there is a separate assessment for Northern Ireland-related terrorism — and UK Terror Alert tracks both, so you are never looking at only half the picture.
Two threat levels, not one
The threat level most people see in the news refers to international terrorism affecting the UK as a whole. Separately, there is a threat level for Northern Ireland-related terrorism. These are assessed independently and can sit at different settings at the same time — the national level might be Substantial while the Northern Ireland figure is higher, or vice versa. Looking at only one can give a misleading sense of the overall security picture.
Who sets the Northern Ireland level?
The threat level for Northern Ireland-related terrorism is set by the Security Service (MI5). It uses the same five-point scale — Low, Moderate, Substantial, Severe and Critical — so the wording is directly comparable with the national level, even though the underlying assessments are separate.
Why it deserves its own attention
Northern Ireland-related terrorism has its own distinct history and dynamics. For anyone living in, working in, or travelling to Northern Ireland — and for anyone who simply wants the complete UK picture — the dedicated level is essential context that a single national figure cannot provide.
Both levels, one app
UK Terror Alert shows the national and Northern Ireland threat levels side by side, keeps the full history of changes for each, and sends an instant push notification whenever either one moves. You set it up once and let the app watch both for you.
UK Terror Alert is an independent app. It is not affiliated with HM Government, MI5, the Home Office, JTAC or Counter Terrorism Policing. Threat-level data is sourced from publicly available official information.