'Not wearing my heels so I can quickly escape': Taylor Swift fans prepare for London shows amid threats of terrorism

14 August 2024, 15:31 | Updated: 15 August 2024, 07:40

From the atrocity in Southport to a foiled terror attack in Vienna, the events of the past few weeks have some Taylor Swift concertgoers on edge.

Police in the Austrian capital said a 19-year-old had been arrested after authorities were made aware of "preparations" for a possible attack at the concerts.

It followed a stabbing in Southport last month, in which three young girls were killed at a dance class themed around the pop star.

In preparation for the upcoming Wembley gigs, how to stay safe at gigs - and what to bring in the event of the worst has become a widespread discussion amongst fans.

In conversations on social media seen by LBC News - fans discuss buying military-grade gauze to stem bleeding, purchasing clotting agents - even putting emergency contact details in shoes for paramedics to find.

Read more: Taylor Swift fans come together in Vienna to sing and dance in the streets after concerts cancelled

Read more: Third person in custody over foiled plot targeting Taylor Swift shows in Vienna

Another fan on social media wrote they might switch their high heels for sneakers to make "escaping easier" from a potential attack.

Shelley from Cardiff attended two shows on the Eras Tour in July—in Cardiff and London. She told us she took a first aid kit to both of her shows.

"It made me feel more in control, and better if anything did happen.

"It was just nice to have things with me that would make me feel safe.

"Women very rarely feel safe," she continued. "And when you have the Eras Tour - which has been celebrated as a safe place for young girls, kids and women all to come together - it's so upsetting that's almost been taken away".

Dr Lynne Baird MBE, whose son Daniel died in 2017 after he was stabbed in Digbeth, told LBC that: "Emergency Bleed Control Kits are a critical piece of safety equipment just like a defibrillator. Any number of emergencies could happen that could require a bleed control kit to be used, both from venue staff and visitors. We have seen kits used for people falling badly down sets of stairs, building fabric falling and striking people and from violence and attacks. It should be part of all concert venues Health and Safety and Risk Assessment to have emergency bleed control kits on site, sufficient for the number of visitors at the venue. Just like defibs, these should be clearly signed and be in publicly accessible cabinets, there is often not the spare minutes to find a member of staff to get access to a kit in an emergency.'

The Daniel Baird Foundation was formed after the 26-year-old died in Birmingham in 2017.

Lynne Baird set up the foundation because she believes her son may have survived had an emergency first aid been available.

She urged public venues to contact the charity and become prepared for emergencies.

"We would urge all venues to get in touch with us to discuss what they need and how we can help them ensure they are prepared."

The Met Police say there's nothing to suggest investigations by Austrian authorities will have an impact on London.

Sanne had tickets to both shows in Vienna, which were targeted by the attacks.

Now that she's in London, she's told LBC she and her friends have felt they've had to plan ahead to stay safe.

"I've seen quite a lot of people say they're nervous or scared.

"I personally haven't considered taking a first aid kit, but I do understand why it's nerve-wracking to go into this now.

"We're more worried about entering the stadium and leaving when there's no security guards present than about being at Wembley," she said.

"We're worried about being in a large crowd".

More than 450,000 people are expected to see Taylor Swift during her run of shows at Wembley.

But a magical few nights for fans young and old have now been marred by concerns—and they're going to extreme lengths to stay safe.