Travel security stepped up following Bin Laden death

Travellers warned to be vigilant, avoid crowded spaces and maintain a low profile

There has been a global step up in travel security following the death of Osama Bin Laden.

Advise issued today by the US, UK and other governments is for travellers to be vigilant, avoid crowded spaces and maintain a low profile. Moreover, authorities are beginning to take additional measures to protect those traveling by air.

A resurgence in attacks, most notably at the instigation of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, against civil aviation has emerged within the past two years.

These attacks include the Christmas 2009 attempt by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to blow up Northwest Airlines flight 253 and the recent attempt to blow up two cargo planes whilst in flight over North America.

In a statement to the House of Commons, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "The terrorist threat level in the UK is already at Severe – which is as high as it can go without intelligence of a specific threat. We will keep that threat level under review – working closely with the intelligence agencies and the police."

"In terms of people travelling overseas, we have updated our advice and encourage British nationals to monitor the media carefully for local reactions, remain vigilant, exercise caution in public places and avoid demonstrations. And we have ordered our embassies across the world to review their security."

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