A message from the Home Secretary
Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP
Welcome to the Security Service website. Here, you will find information on the various threats which the UK currently faces, and which the Government and the Security Service are working to counter.
The major threat which the UK faces today is from international terrorism. Groups inspired by or with links to Al Qaida are intent on causing indiscriminate injury to all communities in the UK, and seek to jeopardise our way of life. Events in the last 3 years have shown that this threat is real, serious and deadly.
However, international terrorism is not the only challenge we face. We must also protect our national security from foreign powers seeking our military, political and economic information for their own advantage. The security of many nations, not just the UK, is physically threatened by those seeking to develop weapons of mass destruction.
The Security Service is at the forefront of the fight against many of these threats. Together with the police, they are responsible for uncovering, investigating and disrupting the plans of those who would wish to harm us and our communities. The country is indebted to the hard work of their staff, often in difficult and sometimes dangerous circumstances, which has saved many lives.
That is why we have significantly increased resources for the Security Service, which is expanding rapidly. By the end of next year it will have more than 3500 staff - twice the number it had in 2001.
However, the Security Service and police cannot be expected to fight this battle alone. Cooperation is key in successfully countering terrorism, and the support of the public is of real importance. The security Service would be keen to hear from anyone who feels they may be able to assist in their work, and you can contact them via their public telephone number or email - details of which are available on this website.
The Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP
Home Secretary
