Security beefed up for Taylor Swift Wembley shows after ISIS suicide bomb plot at Austria concerts
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.
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”.
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.”
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”.