Jump directly to the content

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.

a woman in a sequined outfit and gold boots stands on a stage
9
Taylor Swift Wembley dates will go ahead with beefed-up securityCredit: Getty
a man wearing a black shirt with the letter y on it
9
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”.

a row of police vans parked in front of a stadium
9
The alleged terror plotter wanted to target fans without tickets outside the stadiumCredit: Getty
a large stadium with a large arch in the middle
9
The star will perform at WembleyCredit: Alamy
a group of people in protective suits are standing outside of a building next to a red car .
9
Austrian security services searched the 19-year-old's home
a group of soldiers are standing in front of a house next to a red car .
9
Austria's elite Cobra police conducted the arrest
an advertisement for taylor swift shows a map of vienna
9
a crowd of people are making heart shapes with their hands
9
Taylor Swift fans gathered today after the concerts had been cancelledCredit: Reuters
two police officers are sitting at a table with microphones and a sign that says purstl
9
Austrian official Franz Ruf and Vienna cop chief Gerhard Puerstl hold a press conference about the arrestsCredit: Reuters
Topics