London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The Metropolitan Police have stated they are “well prepared” ahead of Taylor Swift’s run of shows at Wembley Stadium after her Vienna concerts were called off amid an alleged terror plot.
The US pop star will finish the European leg of her Eras Tour with five evenings at the London venue. It comes after the Grammy-winner settled tribute to victims of the Southport attack in which three young girls were slain in a mass stabbing in July at a holiday club event themed on the singer.
Swift had been travelling to packed stadiums across the continent this spring and summer but her three performances at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium were called off last week after police found an alleged plot by suspected terrorists.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan had pledged at the time that the UK capital would “carry on” hosting Swift’s concerts, despite the danger.
How are the Metropolitan Police preparing for Taylor Swift’s concerts at Wembley?
Commander Lou Puddefoot of the Metropolitan Police said: “A series of concerts will start at Wembley on Thursday night and we are looking forward to welcoming thousands of people to the capital. Over recent months, we have been operating very closely with the stadium, event organisers and other associates, to ensure that all visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience.
“We are well ready for this event and the public should expect to see officials, security staff and stewards performing together in and around the venue and at transport hubs.
“The Met is regularly applied in the policing of these types of events and as always, we have a flexible schedule in place to ensure everyone can appreciate themselves safely. Wembley Stadium has delivered detailed advice on its website to provide ticketholders travelling to the venue have a great adventure. We continue to request the public to remain vigilant and if something doesn’t feel correct, to report it to a police officer or in an emergency call 999.”
What items are prohibited at Taylor Swift’s Wembley concerts for security reasons?
The stadium has placed a guide online for fans attending the concerts, which warns them not to bring chains, chain wallets, studded jewellery or spurs, noise-making appliances such as air horns, bells, bullhorns, thunder sticks or aerosol receptacles – including sunscreen, pepper spray, bug spray, or spray colour with them. Additionally, ticketless devotees will be unable to congregate outside the stadium, preventing an often common practice among the singer’s fans known as “tay-gating”.