Mid January saw the raising of the UK terror alert level from substantial to severe due to intelligence sources receiving a non-specific warning that the UK is facing an imminent threat from Al Qaeda.

Surveillance by UK security services led anti-terror police to raid two homes in Birmingham at the end of January where they arrested a thirty year old man and seized terrorist material. Computer equipment was also seized during this and a coinciding raid two miles away in the Kings Heath area.

Although the raids were not specifically linked to the increased threat level, it shows that tracking the terrorists activity through serveillance is counter-productive to the terrorists actions. Supporters of Al Qaeda and other terrorist organisations are situated throughtout the UK and use their means to distribute terrorist publications that may incite others towards these acts. Remove the support network and you lower the threat.

The recent raids were carried out after a lengthy and ongoing investigation with the minimum of fuss. Investigators are then given 48 hours to question suspects and must then either charge, release or apply for a warrant for further detention. There is no bail allowed in these cases under UK terrorism laws.

This is the highest level of threat the UK has felt since July 2009 and security services around the world are on guard. This is partly due to the failed plane bombing over Detroit on Christmas Day by an al Qaeda recruit who had been studying in London before his terrorist training in Yemen. Inteliigence sources had also picked up on irregular activity over the internet which is a key indicator of imminent attacks.

This type of surveillance is used by security services throughout the world every minute of the day in the fight against terrorism and pays off in more ways than we are made aware of.