More terrorist attacks are likely in the United Kingdom in 2018, particularly in crowded places and targeting the transport sector, the military, police and politicians, according to a Pool Reinsurance Co. Ltd. report.

In 2017, there were five successful terrorist attacks causing 36 deaths and more than 300 injuries, the U.K. government-backed terrorism reinsurance backstop said in a report published Monday.

The threat level from international terrorism for the U.K. is severe, while the threat level from Northern Ireland-related attacks to Great Britain is substantial, the report said.

“In future, these threats are unlikely to reduce, with Islamist extremism being the main driver,” the report said. “Off the shelf technologies and combined methodologies, including the use of more powerful homemade and commercially available explosives and IEDs, is likely to increase in 2018.”

Pool Re has recently taken steps to close the cyber gap with the inclusion in its cover of physical acts of destruction caused by a cyber trigger beginning on April 1.

The mutual insurer is also exploring ways to include nondamage business interruption into the coverage and increase the takeup of terrorism insurance by small and medium-sized enterprises.

“Businesses should be aware of the increasingly diverse methodologies employed by UK terrorists and take appropriate action to protect their premises and prepare their employees for such an eventuality,” the report said. “Additionally, post-incident responses to the use or suspected use of explosives by terrorists frequently involve comprehensive cordons which can result in significant business interruption for businesses located near the scene (in addition to the expected property damage from explosions).”

“As we move into 2018, a year that could bring unprecedented levels of terrorism risk to the UK mainland, the effective partnering of government, the insurance industry and businesses will be critical to the continued resilience of the UK,” the report added.