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Venue security increased in wake of Paris attacks

By | Published on Tuesday 17 November 2015

France

Security has been stepped up at a number of European venues following this weekend’s events in Paris, according to various reports.

Among the six gun and bomb attacks to take place in the French capital on Friday night, the most deadly occurred at the city’s Bataclan theatre, where gunman killed 89 audience members at a Eagles Of Death Metal concert.

Another attacker failed to gain entrance to the city’s Stade De France because of the actions of a security guard, resulting in suicide bomb blasts outside rather than inside the stadium, which was hosting a France-Germany football match at the time.

This has resulted in some discussion as to whether smaller venues, which traditionally have less security measures in place, should ramp up their efforts in this domain. Though doing so poses logistical challenges, and depends, to an extent, on whether security services think there is a genuine risk of something as horrific as what happened at the Bataclan theatre occurring again in a European city or elsewhere.

Nevertheless, live music giant Live Nation told the BBC: “The safety and security of our shows, fans and venues continues to be our highest priority. Due to the recent events in Paris, and in an abundance of caution, we have implemented heightened security procedures globally. However, because of the sensitive nature of these protocols, we cannot elaborate further on the specific details”.

It is thought that Live Nation’s competitors are likely acting in a similar fashion, though whether major changes to security measures are necessary or practical long-term remains to be seen. Meanwhile, as tributes continued to flow in for the 132 people who have now died as a result of Friday’s gun and bomb attacks, the owners of the Bataclan theatre issued a short statement yesterday.

They wrote: “Dear friends, no words are sufficient to express the magnitude of our grief. Our thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their families. Many of you have wanted to gather in remembrance at the Bataclan. Unfortunately the authorities still need to work at the site, but we will keep you informed as soon as it is possible for you to gather in front of the venue. We thank you for your support, which affects us deeply”.

In the UK, an online campaign has been set up by fans to try and get Eagles Of Death Metal’s cover of the Duran Duran track ‘Save A Prayer’ into the charts this Friday, in memory of those who died at the band’s concert this weekend. The track entered the UK top 100 in the midweeks yesterday, and those wishing to support the campaign need to buy the track from a chart-returning platform by Thursday evening.

Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon announced last night that any publishing royalties they receive from these sales will be donated to charity.



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