Increased safety at Wembley after Taylor Swift terror plot
As more than 90,000 bedazzled Taylor Swift fans descend on Wembley Stadium, police officers in hi-vis yellow jackets roam among them.
Following the foiled terror plot in Vienna, a ring of steel has been erected around Wembley with hundreds of security personnel. The Met Police told the public they are ‘well prepared’ for the gigs.
A police officer told MailOnline: ‘We have, of course, increased security for the event following what happened in Vienna.
‘All that matters is people feel safe coming to Wembley and that they can have the best experience seeing Taylor.’
The officer confirmed there is a ban on ticketless fans congregating outside the venue to listen to the megastar’s performance. Anyone ‘taylorgating’ tonight’s show will be swiftly moved on.
‘We will have to see how well that holds up,’ he added.
Police officers speak to Swifties headed into Wembley on August 17
Tonight will be the third night Swift (pictured) performs at Wembley this month. She will return on Monday and Tuesday next week for the final European shows of her sell-out Eras Tour
On the way to the stadium, MailOnline noticed multiple fans in their best sparkling outfits and pink cowboy hats being stopped and searched by yellow-jacketed security personnel.
But the fans flocking to watch the Shake It Off singer perform tonight insist that the increased security measures make them feel ‘much safer’.
Brianna Walley, 29, has travelled from New Zealand for tonight’s concert.
She said: ‘This is my third time seeing Taylor on the eras tour. I am obsessed. When I saw her last time in Wembley it was the best day of my life. I was possessed.’
‘When we saw the news about Vienna, of course it made us worried for tonight. It definitely took the excitement away,’ Brianna said.
‘It was incredible the people managed to stop it before anything worse happened. But tonight I’ve felt very safe coming in so I’m not worried.’
Jaclyn brought her (aptly named daughter) Taylor to tonight’s concert all the way from Canada.
Standing with their newly purchased merchandise, Jaclyn said: ‘We’ve flown in for this from Canada, we are very excited.
‘I was worried after the Vienna attacks but it wasn’t going to stop us from coming, as we love Taylor.
‘But you hope the security will be well prepared. You just have to trust them.’
Met Police officers have been patrolling the area – with some even trading friendship bracelets with fans.
It has become tradition for Swifties to trade handmade bracelets at The Eras Tour since Taylor referenced the practice in the 2022 song You’re On You’re Own Kid.
Chiara Iorizzo (left) and Brianna Walley (right) ready themselves ahead of Taylor’s performance at Wembley tonight
Taylor (left) and her mother Jaclyn flew from Canada to see Taylor Swift perform at Wembley
More than 92,000 people are expected to watch Taylor Swift’s performance tonight – just weeks after the foiled terror plot in Vienna
The Met Police confirmed they are ‘well prepared’ for the sell-out gigs
A Met Police officer wears friendship bracelets – a staple of any Taylor Swift concert. Fans started the tradition of trading handmade bracelets after a lyric in the song You’re On You’re Own Kid
Sisters Charlotte, 19, and Laura-May Jones, 29, admitted that the foiled terror plot was playing on their minds.
‘Before we got here it was certainly a consideration, especially as I am bringing my sister here.
‘But it feels like they have upped their security presence since last time and I wouldn’t really expect anything else.’
But not much would stop the self-proclaimed ‘superfan’ from experiencing Taylor Swift live in concert.
Laura-May said: ‘We paid a few hundred to be here today. I’ve seen her four times before.’
The foiled terror plot in Vienna, Austria, involved a car, knives and explosives and was reported to have targeted those gathered outside the stadium.
Police in Vienna say the main suspect, a 19-year-old man, planned to attack the tens of thousands of Swifties who gathered outside the Ernst Happel Stadium, with knives and machetes.
The suspect, allegedly put together explosives as well in order to ‘kill as many people as possible,’ officials said.
Putting thousands of minds to rest, Sadiq Khan told Sky News: ‘We have a huge amount of experience in policing these events, we’re never complacent, many lessons were learned after the awful Manchester Arena attack.
‘The police work closely, not just with City Hall, but with councils, but also with those who host concerts, like the Taylor Swift concert coming up over the next couple of weeks.’
He added: ‘I’m sure Vienna has got its own reasons to cancel the Taylor Swift concerts, we’re going to carry on, working closely with police [and] ensuring that the Taylor Swift concerts can take place in London safely.’
Charlotte Jones (left) and Laura-May Jones (right)paid hundreds of pounds for their tickets
Taylor’s show has been described as a ‘spectacle’. She performs for three-hours straight
The songstress changes her outfit approximately 16 times throughout the show
The set also changes during the show and Taylor is supported by 15 backup dancers
A Swifie in a golden tasseled dress walks on a zebra crossing as police officers stop their bikes to let her past
An officer in a hi-vis jacket takes a photo for a group of Swifties posing outside the stadium in their themed outfits
Two officers stand outside Wembley Stadium which is lit up ahead of Taylor’s performance
In the UK, a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club was targeted by a knifeman in Southport last month in an attack which killed three young girls.
The Shake It Off singer posted a tribute to Bebe King, six, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, saying she was at ‘a complete loss’ over the horror.
Police have said the attack is not being investigated as terrorism related.
‘I’m so glad they’ve been able to still hold this concert especially after the Southport stabbing,’ said Lyra de Tanaia.
She said: ‘It is quite satisfying to know they’ve upped security, especially after that tragic thing, they were just little girls – it’s so sad.’
The 27-year-old from London managed to get a resale ticket on Tuesday.
She said: ‘Ah, I got so lucky. It was a dream come true.’
Lyra bagged a standing ticket for tonight’s show and said: ‘I hope I can smell her.’
Taylor’s concerts in London mark her return to performing since both horrifying events took place, and the songstress has yet to address them explicitly in front of her fans at Wembley.
But the incidents in Vienna and Southport haven’t put a dampener on fans’ spirits, with some waiting in line for as long as 30 hours until doors open.
As Suki Waterhouse and Paramore warm the stage for Swift, fans from across the world are piling into Wembley -including a few familiar faces.
Sharon Osbourne has been spotted taking her seat in the VIP area.
The former X Factor judge isn’t wearing a pink cowboy hat or a sparkling bodysuit. Instead she has opted for a white jumper with the words: ‘Taylor for President 2024’.
During her performance, Taylor performs songs from across her 17-year career ranging from country and pop to folk and alternative rock
Taylor (left) sometimes brings out special musical guests to surprise fans. Ed Sheeran (right) made an appearance on August 15
Lyra de Tanaia (right) was ‘lucky’ to grab a last-minute standing ticket for tonight’s concert. She said: ‘I hope I can smell her’
Hayley Williams of Paramore warms the stage for Taylor Swift ahead of The Eras Tour at Wembley
Chiltern Railways have introduced a brand new queuing system at Wembley Station due to the masses of fans scrambling to leave after The Eras Tour
Chiltern Railways have introduced a brand new queuing system at Wembley Station due to the masses of fans scrambling to leave after Taylor finishes singing chart-topper Karma – her finale song.
Fans will be directed to the blue, pink, yellow, green or orange queue depending on their destination.
On X, Chiltern Railways wrote: ‘Please join the correct queue for your return journey. Not every train calls at all stations in the queue so ensure you check platform screens before boarding.’
