LONDON

The terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland was reduced on Tuesday from severe to substantial for the first time in 12 years, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said.

The decision was made by the UK’s domestic intelligence service MI5 independently of government ministers.

Lewis said the decision “shows the significant progress that Northern Ireland has made, and continues to make, towards a more peaceful, more prosperous and safer society.”

“It is a testament to the ongoing commitment to protecting the peace process and tackling Northern Ireland-related terrorism, and the tremendous efforts of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and MI5 for their hard won gains over the past decade,” he said.

“However, it is not a time for complacency. There is still a minority who wish to cause harm in Northern Ireland. As ever, the public should remain vigilant and report any concerns they may have to the police.”

Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Simon Byrne said in a statement that the decision signaled “a success in the long-term efforts made by police officers and staff, our partners and in particular the community, in achieving the kind of society we all want and deserve”.

“The success that we have achieved over recent years, in preventing attacks, investigating and pursuing groups including the new IRA has brought us to where we are today,” he said.

Byrne added that while there was still a “small group of people” in society who were “intent on causing harm and dragging Northern Ireland back into the past,” the PSNI would “continue to pursue those individuals and bring them before the courts.”