US To Roll Out New Terror Alert System

Some US law enforcement has taken steps to prepare for potential attacks

The United States will launch a new terror alert system aimed at better informing Americans about the nation's security posture, Homeland chief Jeh Johnson has said.

The announcement comes after President Obama tells the American people that a new phase of terror threats has emerged.

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Details about the new system - the country's third since the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks - will be announced soon, Mr Johnson said at a Defense One magazine forum on Monday.

The much maligned colour-coded system was replaced in 2011

The Homeland Security boss did not provide specifics, but said the changes will keep the public better informed.

His comments come on the heels of President Barack Obama telling Americans that the US is witnessing a "new phase" of terror threats.

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In a rare address from the Oval Office on Sunday night, Mr Obama explained how the threat terrorism posed to the US had changed from the "multi-faceted" attacks of 9/11, to simpler methods such as mass shootings.

Mr Johnson echoed the President's words on Monday, telling the forum that terrorist threats to the US have evolved and terrorist-inspired threats are a growing concern.

Since 2011, the US has used the National Threat Advisory System (NTAS), which replaced the much maligned colour-coded system put in place after 9/11.

Mr Johnson said the government has "never used" NTAS "because it depends upon a specific credible threat to the homeland".

He added: "I believe that in this environment we need to get beyond that and go to a new system that has an intermediate level to it.

"We need a system that adequately informs the public at large ... what we are seeing, what we are doing about it and what we are asking the public to do."

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