U.S. State Department Reissues Travel Advisory for the United Kingdom

On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department reissued its travel advisory for the United Kingdom, telling Americans to “exercise increased caution” in the U.K. due to terrorism.

“Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the United Kingdom,” the advisory reads. “Terrorists can strike suddenly and often target tourist spots and transportation hubs. Markets, shopping malls, local government buildings, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, and parks may be targeted. Major events, schools, and airports can also be attacked.

“There is also a risk of isolated violence by dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets.”

The advisory has nothing new, only minor edits from its previous warning. The State Department is still giving the same advice to Americans who travel to the U.K.—be aware of your surroundings, follow the rules, check local media, and enroll in STEP.

The advisory is notable because, over the past few weeks, the State Department has updated several advisories, including ones for Iceland, the B.V.I., Ireland, Austria, and St. Lucia. The only advisory above its lowest Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions warning was for the United Kingdom.

In August, nearly 400 people were arrested in parts of England and Northern Ireland because of riots that U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called “far-right thuggery.” Six other countries, including Australia, issued new travel warnings because of those riots, which have died down since early August.

Other destinations recently designated as Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. State Department include The Netherlands, Sweden, India, and The Maldives. The only major travel destination ranked above that level recently is Jamaica, which was at a Level 3: Reconsider Travel warning as of late July.