Warden Notice 31/03 (02 December 2003)

There is a continuing high threat of terrorism in Saudi Arabia. We continue to believe terrorists are planning further attacks. The threat includes, but is not limited to, residential compounds.

The incident on 25 November, in which the Saudi authorities intercepted a terrorist vehicle laden with explosives, underlines this continuing threat. The Saudi authorities have confirmed that the Seder village compound in Riyadh was among the probable targets. We have no information on whether other compounds might have been targeted. The Embassy remains in touch with the Saudi authorities who are enhancing their security measures, including those around compounds.

These developments reinforce the importance of our existing advice to avoid all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia. British nationals already in Saudi Arabia should continue to review carefully their individual security arrangements and to ensure they have confidence in them. You should continue to take all necessary steps to protect your safety and should follow rigorously the security advice which we have issued, including:

• vary routes and routines (e.g. don't shop at the same place at the same time veryday/week using the same routes)
  
  
• check around your vehicle carefully each time you leave it unattended
  
  
• avoid behaviour which might draw attention to yourself, and
  
  
• be especially vigilant in places frequented by Westerners (e.g. shopping malls).

The Embassy and Consulate have at present no plans to change their operations or advice to our staff, though we keep this under continual review. If there is further information, which affects the community's security or the advice in this Notice, we shall tell you immediately.

William John Neil
HM Consul