Prime Minister Theresa May raised the UK's terror threat level from severe to critical last night in the wake of Monday's Manchester terror attack, suggesting another similar incident is imminent.
In response to the threat of terrorism on British soil, social media users began using the hashtag #BritishThreatLevels to share their "biggest fears". It's the number one trending topic on Twitter in the UK at the time of writing. The tidbits being shared on the hashtag are as if to say, 'We're not scared and will stand together in defiance against attacks on our values' – with some very wry British humour thrown in.
But a backlash has understandably started to emerge, with some criticising the people making jokes so soon after 22 people tragically died and while countless others remain in hospital.
We're British. You can't scare us until you raise the threat level to "I'm sorry, but there's only continental breakfast left".
— Jason (@NickMotown) May 24, 2017
#BritishThreatLevels "would you mind sharing this table?"
— Stuart Millar (@stuartmillar159) May 24, 2017
"This bus is now on diversion" #BritishThreatLevels
— Don't @ me (@ziazialaura) May 24, 2017
@janinegibson 'Unexpected Item In the Bagging Area' #BritishThreatLevels
— Heidi Stephens (@heidistephens) May 24, 2017
#BritishThreatLevels The person in front of you in the 12 Items or Less queue clearly has 13 items.
— kathmayer 💫 (@kathmayer) May 24, 2017
"Let's go round the room and say one thing about yourselves"#BritishThreatLevels
— Hash Piperdy ⚡️ (@HashPiperdy) May 24, 2017
Parcel gets delivered to the neighbour meaning you have to speak to them #BritishThreatLevels
— clrthrn (@clrthrn) May 24, 2017
#BritishThreatLevels SOMEONE used you favourite mug in work.
— Bunbury Publishing (@BunburyPublish) May 24, 2017
"Get into pairs and we'll do a fun role play activity" #BritishThreatLevels
— SeeingStars (@seeingstars76) May 24, 2017
#BritishThreatLevels When a waiter asks if everything is OK and the meal is not
— Gavin Curnow (@GavinCurnow) May 24, 2017
"With Adrian Chiles" #BritishThreatLevels
— David Brisbane (@DavidB1996) May 24, 2017
Trying to enjoy a Jaffa cake without someone bringing up THAT debate. #BritishThreatLevels
— Keira Tucker (@HavingChips4Tea) May 24, 2017
But many have criticised the hashtag, with some suggesting it was averting people's attention from the real issues and making light of the tragic attack.
engaging in sincere and useful discourse rather than using pointless twee hashtags to deflect meaningful conversation #BritishThreatLevels
— 'Emily Reynolds' (@rey_z) May 24, 2017
@veidtlemania I can't quite believe some people I follow are doing twee keep calm and carry on type jokes about dead children #BritishThreatLevels
— smooching pumpkins (@meanfest) May 24, 2017
@JamesDelingpole I'm not sure I get this thread at all while #manchester children are still in intensive care or lying in morgues.#BritishThreatLevels
— All-American Male (@chrisbraly) May 24, 2017
When you turn the deaths of children into a sick joke #britishthreatlevels
— Michael (@Davoli) May 24, 2017
What do you think?
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