Monday, December 23, 2024

Security beefed up for Taylor Swift Wembley shows after ISIS suicide bomb plot

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TAYLOR Swift’s Wembley dates will go ahead with beefed-up security after a suicide bomb plot at her concerts in Austria.

Three gigs were cancelled when bomb-making equipment and chemicals were found at the home of a 19-year-old IS fanatic.

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Taylor Swift Wembley dates will go ahead with beefed-up securityCredit: Getty
A man was arrested in connection with an Islamist attack plot that caused the cancellation of the Vienna leg of Taylor's tour

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A man was arrested in connection with an Islamist attack plot that caused the cancellation of the Vienna leg of Taylor’s tourCredit: AFP

The hulking bearded suspect confessed he was targeting Swift’s fans outside the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna.

The Met Police said yesterday that the US singer’s Wembley gigs on August 15, 17 and 19 will go ahead.

But it is understood extra safeguards will be in place, likely to include walk-through metal detectors.

Experts warned the terror plot was a “wake-up call”.

READ MORE ON TERROR ATTACKS

Chris Phillips, former head of the UK’s National Counter Terrorism Security Office, said: “Music events are right on the high point of terrorist targets.”

He added: “You have to carry on with business as usual and make sure nothing happens. Terrorists mustn’t be allowed to win. But we have got to be alert.”

The teen, of North Macedonia heritage, was arrested at his home in Ternitz, where he lives with his parents.

Officials said he had stockpiled hydrogen peroxide, used to make TATP explosives, dubbed “Mother of Satan”.

Detonators, machetes and IS propaganda were also found, along with a blue police light which he may have used to drive through crowds.

Domestic intelligence head Omar Haijawi-Pirchner said: “His aim was to kill himself and a large number of people.”

Chilling pic shows teen Taylor Swift ‘ISIS suspect’ posing with zombie knives after ‘admitting suicide bomb plot’

A 17-year-old working at the Vienna stadium and a boy, 15, were also held during Wednesday’s raids.

A source from Swift’s camp said “everyone was shaken and gutted”.

The alleged terror plotter wanted to target fans without tickets outside the stadium

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The alleged terror plotter wanted to target fans without tickets outside the stadiumCredit: Getty
The star will perform at Wembley

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The star will perform at WembleyCredit: Alamy
Austrian security services searched the 19-year-old's home

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Austrian security services searched the 19-year-old’s home
Austria's elite Cobra police conducted the arrest

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Austria’s elite Cobra police conducted the arrest

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Taylor Swift fans gathered today after the concerts had been cancelled

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Taylor Swift fans gathered today after the concerts had been cancelledCredit: Reuters
Austrian official Franz Ruf and Vienna cop chief Gerhard Puerstl hold a press conference about the arrests

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Austrian official Franz Ruf and Vienna cop chief Gerhard Puerstl hold a press conference about the arrestsCredit: Reuters

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