Travel warning issued for Aussies
Written by admin on August 6, 2024
Australians have been warned to exercise a “high degree of caution” when travelling to the United Kingdom as violent riots continue.
The riots come after three young girls, Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, were murdered at a Taylor Swift dance event in northwest England on July 29, while others were left injured.
Despite the suspect, Axel Rudakubana, 17, being born in Britain, misinformation that he was an immigrant caused anti-Muslim and anti-immigration protesters to erupt into violence following the killings.
Smarttraveller has since urged Australians to “exercise a high degree of caution in the UK due to the threat of terrorism” following the riots.
“Avoid areas where protests are occurring due to the potential for disruption and violence,” the alert read.
“Monitor the media for information and updates. Follow the instructions of local authorities.”
The alert also states the terrorism threat level for the UK, including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, is “substantial”, which is the third threat level out of five.
It means an attack is “likely”.
Nigeria has also issued a travel alert for the UK, with travellers warned to be “extra-vigilant”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the temperature on political debate needed to be brought down following the violence in the UK.
“When I look at what has occurred – the vision in the United Kingdom in recent days – it breaks your heart to see that anger which is there from so many people,” he said on Tuesday.
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The alerts come after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a “standing army” to be deployed to combat the riots, where about 378 people have reportedly been arrested already.
Australia’s terror threat level has also been raised from possible to probable for the first time in a decade, meaning there is more than a 50 per cent chance of an attack in the next 12 months.
Security agency ASIO advised the government that the terror threat level needed to rise because the “security environment is more volatile and more unpredictable.”
