Jul 5, 2007
Associated Press

LONDON (AP) -- The British government on Wednesday lowered the country's terror alert from "critical" to "severe."

The level was raised to critical on Saturday after failed attacks in Glasgow and London, an indication that further attacks were thought to be imminent. The country has never been lower than the "severe" level, meaning that further attacks are considered likely, since August, 2006.

In a statement, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the reduction "does not mean the overall threat has gone away -- there remains a serious and real threat against the United Kingdom and I would again ask that the public remain vigilant."

The decision to reduce the threat level was made by the government's Joint Terrorism Analysis Center.

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