UK terrorism risk and financing experts have released their Annual Terrorism Threat Report, outlining the current threat environment and the tactics most likely to be used in an attack.
The report notes that the UK terrorism threat level remains “substantial,” meaning an attack is considered likely. As of Dec. 9, 2025, the report states there had been one confirmed terrorist attack in the UK in 2025.
Looking at longer-term trends, the report says that since January 2020, MI5 and UK police have disrupted 19 late-stage attack plots.
The assessment concludes it is almost certain that Islamist terrorism remains the primary terrorist threat to the UK, accounting for approximately 75% of MI5’s counterterrorism caseload.
In terms of likely attack methods, the report says it is highly likely that any terrorist attack in the UK at this time would be carried out by an individual or small cell using low-sophistication tactics, such as bladed or blunt-force weapons, vehicles used as weapons, or arson/fire-based attacks.
While the report emphasizes the prevalence of low-complexity tactics, it also states there is a realistic possibility that terrorist actors could have the capability to attempt a higher-sophistication attack, including the use of an improvised explosive device (IED) or firearms. However, it adds that the complexity of planning such attacks makes it highly likely UK law enforcement and security services would have more opportunity to disrupt these plots before execution.
The report assesses it is a remote chance that a terrorist actor would currently have the capability to carry out a significant cyber-enabled terrorist attack in the UK. It also describes as remote the likelihood of a high-sophistication Chemical, Biological, Radiological, or Nuclear (CBRN) attack, citing major barriers in acquiring, producing, and delivering chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear agents.
Read the full Annual Terrorism Threat Report here.
(AI was used in part to facilitate this article.)