High alert: Does it affect your plans?

Protective measures have been raised at ferry ports across Britain but a government statement issued on Tuesday morning plays down the dangers and denies any specific intelligence prompted the alert.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Monday that security services receive threats of attack almost every day and asked people to be vigilant in the run up to Christmas.

Though a specific attack has not been identified, Downing Street is stressing that the threat is as high as immediately after 11 September last year.

The government is treading the delicate path of balancing public information with security alerts and the message is that people should be attentive but not worried or consider adjusting travel plans.

Does the news affect your plans to travel or to continue your usual routine? Do you feel you have enough information to judge? Are the government distributing the information well?

This debate is now closed. A selection of your e-mails is published below.

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I'm still not sure what the purpose of these new alerts is. Who is the warning for? Britons who have been on the alert for trouble from various sources since 1939, or to tell the terrorists "hey, come on down, we're ready for you". Blair could adequately inform the nation's security forces without all the publicity and hullabaloo. Where is the need to make the public more apprehensive? Could it be to soften us up for more restrictions on our liberties, in the hope that no one notices?
Susan, UK/USA

I refuse to allow terrorists to control my life and will be continuing as norma

Cath Tomlinson, UK

Myself and many others who live in the UK have lived through a Cold War and IRA mainland bombing campaigns - I refuse to allow terrorists to control my life and will be continuing as normal.
Cath Tomlinson, UK

People shouldn't let this continuing threat get to them. It is a new reality, and not a nice one, but nothing was ever achieved by living in fear. If the worst happens, we'll deal with it and move on. And every time the terrorists attack and cause untold human suffering, their cause will die a bit as their followers leave them in disgust. We need to turn the other cheek and carry on as normal.
Pete, UK

Let's face it, for anyone living or working in London (or several other areas of the UK) the need to be vigilant regarding potential threats, is nothing new. The only difference is that at the moment we're not sure what could happen or who might do it. What does Tony expect us to do by issuing these warnings - start wearing tin helmets and gas masks? The reality is that nothing has changed (and that includes the presence of armed police at airports). We must simply continue to be aware of what is happening around us and report anything untoward to the authorities.
Pete, UK

No one, least of all some religious fanatics are going to stop me going anywhere I want to! I'm a Londoner, descended from people who fought in two world wars, and who survived bombing in the Blitz - the least I can do is to carry on in the good old family tradition! Oh, yes, I've also booked two holidays, and a ferry-crossing in the last week or so - none of which I have any intention of cancelling! To be vigilant is sensible, to stop everything you do is to surrender to these people and their pathetic ideals.
Sue, London, UK

As a teacher in charge of a coach load of young students I cannot possibly take my group to Britain as planned this coming December. I remember being in Britain years ago in the midst of terrorist attacks and I don't want to live through this again. Sorry, British friends, but it will have to be some other time.
J. Antelme, France

It's a case of being alert

Phil W, UK

I guess it's a case of being alert and being sensible. Heed advice given by the security services, and respect the rules which are there for the safety of everyone.
Phil W, UK

It's all right for Blair to issue these alerts, if only for his own sake. He needs to be able to say he warned us when an attack happens. In practice, the routes that are available to determined terrorists are so plentiful, in our free and busy society, that I fear they can pick and choose when and where they strike.
Frank, UK

I am glad the government gave this warning. It's about time people in this country opened their eyes to the threat. I will not change my plans to travel neither will I let it get to me. That is how people like this win.
Catherine McGee, Scotland

Cheap booze is simply not worth the risk now involved in crossing to France

Paul, UK

I work at what is considered a high risk target, namely Heathrow Airport. I feel reasonably safe but wish the airport authority would screen people entering the building not just before they board flights. I have total confidence in flying out of the UK, more so than from anywhere else. That said I have cancelled plans for a booze cruise this month. There are absolutely no checks on cars and lorries getting onto ferries and only random checks on the tunnel. Cheap booze is simply not worth the risk now involved in crossing to France.
Paul, UK

Britain lived through the Blitz, the IRA and now this new terror will prove that the British spirit will never be defeated in the face of these threats.
EB, UK

I am very worried but I think that living in Northern Ireland, there is a threat of terror everyday where I live. It's pure hell for the innocent and good people of Northern Ireland. Anyway I have a friend who was going to go to London in two days time but can't because Belfast port is closed.
Stephanie, Derry, Northern Ireland

As a regular visitor, the threat has compelled us to reconsider the UK as a destination this year. I think Afghanistan would be looking pretty safe now by comparison.
Phil Slater, Australia

No, it doesn't; who would want to attack Harrogate? Let's be realistic. Nobody!
Stacey Turner, UK (ex-US)

Blair's comments are common sense

Gary Sanderson, England

Living in London, I have been aware of terrorist threats for years. Tony Blair's comments are common sense. We should report all suspicious parcels and bags, especially coming up to Christmas. But we all know that deposited bombs may not be the preferred choice of the terrorist, it will be suicide bombs or chemical so all we can do is "keep them peeled."
Gary Sanderson, England

The only way to defend ourselves against such attack is to take preventative measures - stop supporting the US in its war and stop tolerating the Israeli invasion of Palestinian land. The warning distracts us from the reality: Tony's tough on terrorism, obfuscating on the causes of terrorism.
Penny Peters, UK

I say it was a correct move to keep us informed, but I always remember a colleague saying it was as well we didn't know everything or we wouldn't sleep at night. I think some people live with a natural everyday fear, whether it be of the criminal element, or dangers on the roads. Learning to live with whatever might be is the only way ahead, for ourselves and our children.
Jen, UK

We got through the IRA years by developing an acceptance of bomb scares and public transport closures. I see no need to react any differently to Bin Laden and his cronies than I did to Martin McGuiness and his. Their aim is to spread terror, please don't let them succeed.
Phillip Holley, UK, London

So the message is hurry up and wait. A contradictory message from a confused government.
Simon, UK

I vowed never to get on a plane again

Jon Doody, UK

After 11 September I vowed never to get on a plane again, such was my fear. What a difference a year makes. In three weeks I shall be taking my first trip to New York and I am REALLY looking forward to it. Terrorists should never stop you doing the things you want to do. If that happens, they win. I shall not be put off!
Jon Doody, UK

The publication of warnings IS required. An attack will happen and as un-believers we are at risk of attack by these extremists. If no warnings are made and we are attacked what will people say? Anyway, this is nothing new. During the IRA campaigns warnings were issued in the run up to Christmas every year.
Ed, UK

The best way to subvert democracy is to inject the population with fear, just look at the US: filled with fear about their neighbours and co-workers. There isn't much to be gained by telling the public about threats so far as increasing public safety goes. I think Tony is just getting us in the mood for a war so that when the body bags come home we won't feel so aggrieved at the government for picking a fight with Saddam.
JG, UK

I'm glad to be informed

Andy, UK

It doesn't take a huge leap of imagination to conclude that Britain is bound to be a prime target on any terrorist list. In Northern Ireland it was common for terrorist warnings to be issued, and glad we were for them. I am a liberal but the knee-jerk reaction of many liberals in the UK makes me so angry. Not everything is a conspiracy. The information will not affect my travel plans but I'm glad to be informed.
Andy, UK

This is blatant propagandist scaremongering to try and gain support for potential bombings of countries such as Iraq. This rhetoric of fear trades on primeval fears and attempts to make political capital out of tragedies such as 11 September. Utterly shameful! I think Blair is a disgrace for using this cheap seedy little trick.
Mick, UK

The warning is made in good faith and serves to increase public vigilance. Come on Mick, stop seeing conspiracy theories everywhere, real life is not the X-Files.
Peter, UK

Mick of the UK forgets how much heat the government got over the Bali bombing.
Jason Ward, UK

To Mick, UK: "Scaremongering"... Open your eyes! Anyone who's been to Heathrow airport in the last few weeks will have seen armed response units clearly visible at all terminals. I'm surprised the government has waited until now to issue such warnings. There must be a credible threat.
Ric, Sweden (ex-pat)