Manchester concert suicide attack prompts security rethinks worldwide

[snoop1130]

Manchester concert suicide attack prompts security rethinks worldwide

By Kaori Kaneko and Fathin Ungku

 

Armed police officers stand next to a police cordon outside the Manchester Arena, where U.S. singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester, northern England, Britain, May 23, 2017. REUTERS/Andrew Yates

 

TOKYO/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Countries from the United States to Japan and Singapore are considering tightening security ahead of major theatre and sports events following a suicide bomb attack in Britain that killed at least 22 people.

 

Prime Minister Theresa May called an emergency meeting with intelligence chiefs on the deadliest militant assault in the country since four British Muslims killed 52 people in suicide bombings on London's transport system in July 2005.

 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it was closely monitoring Monday's attack, at the end of a concert by U.S. singer Ariana Grande in Manchester, and that the U.S. public may experience increased security at public events.

 

Japan said it had started gathering information. "We have strengthened our position by establishing an information-gathering unit dedicated to international terrorism," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.

 

In Singapore, the organiser of Britney Spears' concerts in June said they were considering new measures.

 

"We are definitely looking at tightening security," Yogesh Mehta, project manager at IME Entertainment Group, said.

 

"All our events are licensed by the police. It is normally advised by the licensing department on what precautions to take, how many armed guards we need. So we work closely with them."

 

Singapore, which hosts a security summit between June 2-4 bringing together Asia-Pacific defence and military chiefs, made amendments to the Public Order Act last month.

 

It requires event organisers to notify the police a month beforehand if they expect more than 5,000 people to attend. And police may refuse to allow a public gathering if it has a direct political end or involves foreigners.

 

HONG KONG ALREADY ON ALERT

 

Hong Kong's AsiaWorld Expo, where Ariana Grande is due to hold a concert in September, said it would improve security at all concerts and events. Besides baggage inspection, there would also be metal detectors and search dogs, it said in a statement.

 

Hong Kong is already on high alert ahead of an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to mark the 20th anniversary of the city’s handover to Beijing on July 1 when the former British colony’s new leader will also be sworn in.

 

In the Taiwan capital of Taipei, which hosts the Summer Universiade sports event in August, officials said they already have the highest levels of readiness.

 

"We will raise them even higher as appropriate in response to overseas terrorist attacks, such as the one in Manchester," said Universiade spokesman Rony Yang.

 

The Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia's biggest sports arena, said it was reviewing procedures. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the government was working closely with other countries on strategy.

 

"While the threat level in Victoria remains unchanged, and there is no known threat to the MCG, we continue to receive advice from relevant authorities and together review our security processes accordingly," the club's spokesman said, referring to the state of which Melbourne is the capital.

 

SM investments Corp, whose Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippine capital will host Ariana Grande in August, said it would take all precautions.

 

"Our security is always stepped up especially for big crowds like this," said SM investment relations chief Corazon Guidote.

 

In Kolkata, the business hub for east India, police said the security drill for public gatherings would have to be reviewed.

 

(Reporting by Kaori Kaneko and Elaine Lies in TOKYO, Fathin Ungku and Masayuki Kitano in SINGAPORE, Tom Westbrook in SYDNEY, Jerome Morales in MANILA, Faith Hung in TAIPEI, Katy Wong and William Ho in HONG KONG and Subrata Nagchoudhury in Kolkata; Writing by Miyoung Kim; Editing by Nick Macfie)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-5-23

[Surasak]

At this rate the terrorists are winning. 

[Stargeezr]

The young man who blew himslf up will be going to Hell just like all the members of ISIL will when they die.

  RIP to all of the victims of this bombing, what a cowardly act it was.

[Bikeman93]

The authorities should stop focussing on security and look at the bigger picture.

 

Stop referring to them as ISIS or religious extremists and call them by their true name - lone murderers with no cause, giving them and their "cause" no recognition.

 

The solution is so simple it makes me think the authorities and or press want it to be.

Edited May 26, 2017 by Bikeman93
Addition

[saakura]

Tomorrow is the starting of their holy month of ramadan when they fast and generally refrain from killing and suicide bombing. So at least the next one month should be safe?