As I strode through the full body airport-style metal-detector check into Wembley Stadium for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour return, my mind floated back to my first concert at Knebworth Park in 1986. I’m sure Hertfordshire Constabulary must have been in attendance but security, from memory, primarily consisted of fearsome-looking Hell’s Angels tasked with preventing fans smuggling in booze.
Four decades on and the fear of somebody getting wasted on Special Brew has been replaced by the horror posed by brainwashed extremists targeting life-loving young music fans.
The foiled plot in Vienna last week meant measures to keep fans safe for the pop sensation’s second London coming was deemed to be unlike anything security forces had previously put in place for a UK concert.
Yet incredibly despite this the ‘ring of steel’ operation felt remarkably calm, and dare I say it low key and definitely unobtrusive.
Arriving at Wembley Park station mid-afternoon the huge queues were expertly managed and whilst there were plenty of hi-vis jacketed staff in assistance, uniformed police numbers were way below what I had expected to see.
Approaching the stadium those officers in attendance happily chatted and exchanged friendship bands with younger fans, but their sheer presence gave an overwhelming air of reassurance.
Strolling up Wembley Way proved a joyous carnival-like atmosphere, so you barely noticed the security slowly increasing the closer one got to the stadium.
This was clearly an intelligence led operation, no doubt backed-up with teams of plain clothed police spotters mingling amongst the mass army of sparkle-clad Swifties. However even perimeter ticket checks and bag searches had a “light touch” feel with the intent of friendly rather than fearsome.
I was surprised not to receive a body ‘pat-down’ on reaching the gates – as is standard at football matches – but I guess the full-body metal detector you pass entering the stadium deemed the intrusive search a step too far.
Post-show there were more crowd control measures in place and roof-top spotters could be seen along with an increased police visibility on the ground.
And with the night passing incident free The Met Police, reportedly assisted by Swift financed private-security counterterrorism operatives, deserve huge praise for their delicate handling of the situation and it gives me huge reassurance the remaining shows will follow problem free.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk