Three things worth your time today.
Saudi Arabia. The FCDO tightened its travel advice on 25 July 2026, widening the no-go zone along the Yemen border to 80km for all but essential travel and warning that Houthi forces could strike Riyadh, Jeddah and Abha at short notice. Anyone routing a principal through the Gulf should reassess against the current advisory. Full item in Threat & Risk.
Licensing. From 1 April 2026 the SIA's new close protection refresher qualification is mandatory at every renewal, replacing the old one-off top-up. You need it, plus a valid first aid certificate, before you apply to renew. Full item in Regulation & Compliance.
Legislation. The Crime and Policing Act 2026 sets out nine counter-terrorism measures. They include Youth Diversion Orders for those aged 21 or under, a broadening of the TPIM weapons restriction to cover bladed articles and other articles capable of being used as a weapon, wider police powers to seize proscribed-organisation symbols displayed in public, and an extension of the section 13 uniform and insignia offence into prisons and other detention settings.
Context. The UK national threat level remains SEVERE, meaning an attack is highly likely. JTAC raised it from SUBSTANTIAL on 30 April 2026 and it has not moved since.
