US colour-coded security alerts may be scrapped

Critics have dismissed the system as too vague

The Department of Homeland Security is proposing to replace the US colour-coded security alerts, the BBC have reported.

It may be replaced with clearer language to describe the threat from terrorism, officials say.

The current eight-year-old system runs from green, signifying a low threat, to red, meaning severe and is used in airports, government buildings and on news programmes.

However, critics have dismissed it as being too vague.

Department spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said: "We are committed to providing specific, actionable information based on the latest intelligence."

Further information:
BBC
Department of Homeland Security