ANTI-TERROR police are reminding people to be vigilant across the borough despite the recent downgrading of the attack threat level in the UK.

The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) shifted the warnings of a terrorist attack from severe to substantial.

It follows a new assessment by MI5 and JTAC based on intelligence gathered in Britain and abroad on how close terrorist groups may be to staging an attack.

This means that the risk of a terrorist attack has moved from “highly likely” to a situation where it is deemed there is a “strong possibility” and an attack may occur without warning at any time.

Barnet police have now issued a statement saying: “The threat has not gone away and no-one should be complacent.

“We want to thank the community for their understanding and are again asking people to be vigilant.”

Chief Superintendent Neil Basu said people should be assured police activity will be ongoing throughout the borough to ensure the safety and security of residents.

He said: “The continued security of our communities is paramount in the work we your police undertake on a daily basis, and I want to take this opportunity to urge everyone to remain vigilant.

“It is local people in local communities who will notice activity out of the ordinary, so please contact us if you see something you regard as suspicious.”

Anyone who wants to report any suspicious behaviour should call the Anti Terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321.