Taylor Swift beefs up security for her London shows after cancelling Vienna concerts amid terror plot – as ‘Swiftonomics’ uncover the REAL cost of axed gigs

Taylor Swift’s upcoming London shows will go ahead with a massive increase in security after the singer was forced to cancel her concerts in Vienna after a terror plot was foiled by police

The 34-year-old singer was due to perform in the Austrian capital on August 8, 9 and 10 for an estimated 170,000 fans, but was forced to cancel all three shows following the horrific attack – which threatened to claim ‘as many lives as possible’ – was exposed.

The Met Police have now confirmed that Taylor’s five concerts at Wembley Stadium, starting on August 15, will go ahead as planned. Additional security measures are expected to be in place, including metal detectors.

Brand expert Nick Ede also shared the so-called ‘Swiftonomics’ surrounding the singer’s cancelled shows and the huge costs the star has to pay by cancelling her three concerts.

A Met Police spokesman said: ‘London hosts a large number of high profile events every year, providing a safe and enjoyable experience for millions of visitors.

‘The Met works closely with venue security teams and other partners to ensure appropriate security and policing plans are in place.

‘There is no indication that the matters being investigated by the Austrian authorities will have any influence on future events here in London.

“As always, we will continue to carefully review any new information.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan also confirmed that the concerts will go ahead: ‘We have a huge amount of experience in policing these types of events, we have never been complacent.

‘There have been many lessons learned after the terrible attack at Manchester Arena. The police are working closely, not just with City Hall, but also with councils, but also with those who organise concerts, such as the one that is taking place in the coming weeks.

“I’m sure Vienna has its own reasons for canceling the Taylor Swift concerts. We’re going to continue with this and work closely with the police to ensure that the concerts can take place safely.”

Experts warn that the terrorist threats are “a wake-up call”. Chris Phillips, former head of the UK’s National Counter Terrorism Security Office, told The Sun: “Music events are one of the most common targets for terrorists.”

“You have to continue with business as usual and make sure nothing happens. Terrorists cannot win. But we have to be alert.

Following the news of Taylor’s cancelled concerts, brand and culture expert Nick Ede told MailOnline that the star could be facing a nine-figure bill as a result of the cancelled concerts.

He analysed so-called ‘Swiftonomics’ and said the three Eras Tour shows will have cost around £136.5 million, based on an average ticket price and spend of £700.

He added: ‘This does not take into account the extra security and the teams that have to support the thousands of fans who have come to see her.

‘The venue, the Ernst Happel Stadium, has a capacity of almost 65,000 people and spread over three evenings that is 195,000 spectators. And if we add the family members and fans who will be listening outside, then an estimated 10,000 more people will be there every day.

‘Because people from all over the world will come to Taylor, the costs and consequences for the fans and also for the economy in Vienna will be enormous.

“All the tickets have been refunded, which is a loss of millions. And when Taylor was in London, ‘Swiftonomics’ brought in about £380 million for the city. So you can see that Vienna has also had an impact on the costs.

‘Because the event was cancelled at the last minute, there will still be a lot of people coming to Vienna, so the economy will experience a recovery, but not on the scale that it would have if the concerts had gone ahead.

From hotels, to Airbnbs, to food and drink, ‘Swiftonomics’ is a cultural phenomenon that can literally change the fortunes of businesses in and around the time of the tour.

“Taylor is very loyal to her fans and I’m sure she’ll want to reschedule the tour to make sure they can see the show. But with a busy schedule and the real threat of terror, she and her team will have to figure out if they can return to Vienna after her 152-date tour.”

It was previously thought that Taylor’s series of performances in London could bring in around £300 million to the city’s economy.

On Wednesday, police announced that two suspects had been arrested on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack during Taylor’s performances in Vienna.

It has now been confirmed that radicalised teenagers aged 17 and 19 – including an ISIS fanatic – had planned a “massacre involving bombs, knives and a vehicle attack on young fans”.

Following the foiled terrorist attack, Taylor’s concert promoter Barracuda Music released a statement informing fans that her concerts in Vienna were canceled. Tens of thousands of people were left disappointed after fighting for tickets to the sold-out tour.

“Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour shows in Vienna cancelled due to government officials confirming planned terrorist attack,” the statement read.

‘Now that government officials have confirmed that a terrorist attack is being planned at the Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three planned shows for everyone’s safety.

‘All tickets will be automatically refunded within 10 working days.’

Shortly after the news broke, it was reported that Taylor felt “devastated” over having to cancel the concerts.

Taylor’s fans were also “devastated” by the last-minute cancellation, but thanked the singer for his “safety.”

Since then, they have been spotted together in Vienna singing the star’s hits.

The main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian with North Macedonian roots, identified as Beran A, was arrested on Wednesday morning in Ternitz, south of Vienna.

A second teenager, 17, who had recently broken up with his girlfriend, was arrested in the Austrian capital in the afternoon, Director General for Public Security Franz Ruf said.

Beran A, who pledged allegiance to the current leader of the Islamic State last month, was “focused” on Taylor’s concert in Vienna, Ruf confirmed, and had quit his job.

He had said he had “big plans” on July 25, Ruf revealed, adding that the teen had also “significantly changed his appearance.”

“There has been a clear societal change,” Ruf added.

Austrian media reported that the suspects planned to drive a car into groups of Swifties gathering outside the venue, then attack them with machetes and knives.

They reportedly plan to launch their attack today, August 8.

The 19-year-old, pictured posing with knives, fully confessed to planning to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue,” Austrian security officials said.

According to the Austrian newspaper Heute, his planned terrorist attack would end with him detonating a homemade bomb and committing suicide.

Director General for Public Security Ruf confirmed today that “explosives were manufactured” at the suspect’s home. According to local media, Beran A. is said to have stolen chemicals from his former workplace, a metal processing plant, also in Ternitz, to make a bomb.

The three-time Super Bowl winner reportedly called Taylor immediately when the news broke and spent “hours” on the phone trying to comfort her.

It came just days after a dance class celebrating her music in Southport, England, was the target of a shooting rampage in which three children were fatally stabbed.