Yesterday, we reported that a terrorist attack targeting a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, Austria was narrowly thwarted by authorities. Now, Swift’s next plans have been revealed in the wake of this terrifying ordeal.
What’s Next For Swift?
Swift, 34, canceled her three concerts in Vienna that had been scheduled for last night, tonight, and Saturday. However, she plans to move forward with her concerts in London that are scheduled to begin on August 15.
A security expert told Fox News that there will likely be “additional layers of protection” for these concerts.
“Taylor Swift’s team is likely implementing additional layers of protection to ensure her own safety, as well as her fans’ and the public’s safety,” said Julian Moro, SVP and regional security director at International SOS.
“While it is not known what the exact measures may be, we can assume this could include increasing security personnel, limiting public appearances and interactions and reassessing travel routes,” he continued. “It also will likely include making sure that there’s additional security at and around the venues where she’ll perform for the remainder of her tour.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is very confident, stating that London will “carry on” and that they are used to dealing with security situations.
Of note, however, was the successful Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. Khan says that they learned from the experience and updated security accordingly.
Vienna Terrorist Attack Thwarted
The three concerts that Swift had planned in Vienna were cancelled after Austrian police arrested a 17-year-old male and a 19-year-old male who were allegedly plotting a terror attack at Ernst Happel Stadium. They later arrested an 18 year-old Iraqi and detained a 15 year-old who had knowledge of the terror plot.
One of the suspects reportedly confessed to wanting to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue.” The suspects had allegedly been radicalized online by ISIS within the last month.
As Swift makes her way to London, she will likely increase her own personal security as well.
“In Ms. Swift’s case, it is our understanding that she has a full-time, very experienced head of security, and travels with an executive protection detail, which would be augmented with additional agents based on the profile and itinerary, or like this example, due to a credible and specific threat,” Moro explained.
“Moreover, her private security team will liaise closely with venue security personnel, and if she is going to a public area, law enforcement personnel,” he added. “Oftentimes, in high threatening situations, all three work together to ensure the safety of the public as well as the high-profile person.”
Related: Taylor Swift Terror Suspect Was Already In Place For Days Before Being Caught
Goal Of Swift Terrorist Plot
Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, revealed the goal of the planned terrorist attack. He said that it aimed “to disrupt our way of life.”
“It’s been a while since the Islamic State has pulled off a major attack – or al Qaeda – but again, it only takes one,” the Army veteran stated. “And it instills fear. It disrupts our way of life.”
Roggio went on to say that modern terrorists often have to conduct their attacks outside arenas. This is because it’s difficult to get weapons into the arenas. In this case, that’s exactly what the teenage terrorists planned to do.
“That just shows these groups are adapting, and they have been adapting for decades now,” he said. “As we up our security, they make every effort to find a weakness and … that is a weakness, people gathering outside of a concert. They could be gathering in the parking lot. When the Islamic State didn’t have access to weapons, they used knives or rammed trucks into crowds.”
We can only be thankful that the authorities were able to thwart this terrorist attack before anyone was hurt. Please join us in saying a prayer for Swift as she heads to London for her next shows!
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