London Marathon to review security following Boston bomb attacks

shutterstock_100671853
Mr Pics / Shutterstock.com

Organisers of the Virgin London Marathon, set to take place on Sunday 21 April, have pledged to review security but have no plans to cancel the event, following yesterday’s bomb blasts near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

The organisers and the Metropolitan Police Service have both issued statements saying they will work together to review security but giving no details as to what that might entail.

Other commentators have referred to the need to balance security against the spirit of the event, which winds its way across 26 miles of London, past iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.

However, given the open nature of the route, through heavily built up areas, it’s difficult to imagine what the police will be able to do on the day beyond crowd management and traffic control.

Most of the security preparations ahead of the event will most likely involve checking and double checking known individuals and groups who might have the motive or the ability to mount an attack.

In a rare public speech ahead of the London Olympics, the then head of MI5 warned that the Olympic Games would be an attractive target for terrorists.

He said the security services were actively tracking dozens of groups and disrupting at least one major incident a year.

He also noted that the threat from terrorism coming out of Pakistan and Afghanistan had decreased to below half of the agency’s workload for the first time in years. “We appear to be moving from a period of a deep and focused threat to one where the threat is less monolithic but wider,” he said.

Boston investigates

The FBI has taken over the investigation of the bomb attacks. While the White House has refrained from calling the attacks “terrorism” until they have more information, the investigation is reportedly being treated as such.

There are reports that two or three unexploded devices were found nearby which, if true, could yield invaluable forensic evidence as to the identity and capabilities of the bomber or bombers.

The attacks also took place under the gaze of hundreds of video and still cameras from around the world, plus CCTV. The FBI will be busy collecting as much of that still and video imagery as possible, not to mention beginning the analysis of the more promising images.

Georgina Turner image

Georgina Turner

Sales Manager

Read the Latest Issue

Follow us on X

Follow us on X

Click Here

Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn

Click Here

Advertise here

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise here

Click Here

Related News

Graphic displaying a lockdown solution

Netgenium debuts next gen display and touchscreen technologies

Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) solutions specialist Netgenium will be showcasing its new range of IP…

ICT® Launches New TSL Access Reader Series

Integrated Control Technology (ICT®), a leading manufacturer of intelligent access control and…
Image Provided by Paxton

Paxton Partners with Skills for Security

The security technology manufacturer Paxton is proud to announce a partnership with Skills for Security…
Image Provided by ICT

ICT and Ingram Micro sign distribution agreement MEA

Integrated Control Technology (ICT), award-winning global manufacturer of intelligent electronic access control and security solutions..
Image Provided by Toshiba

Toshiba launches new HDD Innovation Lab

Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH (Toshiba) has inaugurated a new HDD Innovation Laboratory (HDD Innovation Lab) at its site in Düsseldorf..
Image Provided by Verkada

Verkada Doubles Down on the Channel with Strategic New Hire

Verkada, a leader in cloud-based physical security, today announced the appointment of Micah Deriso as Head of Global Channel…
Image Provided by IPSA

IPSA Appoint Frontline Hero as Ambassador

Abdullah, the courageous security officer praised for foiling a horrific knife attack at Leicester Square, has been appointed as…
Image Provided by Codelocks

New Surface Latch from Codelocks

Codelocks is expanding its Gate Solutions by Codelocks range with the introduction of the new Codelocks’ Surface Latch…
Image provided by Genetec

Nicholas Smith to Lead Genetec UK and Ireland Operations

Genetec, provider of enterprise physical security software, announced the appointment of Nicholas Smith as its new Regional Sales Director…

News Desk

View all the latest, product, project and people news

News Desk

Click Here

Technology News

Keep up-to-date with the latest product innovation

Technology News

Click Here

Industry Sectors

Discover technology in action in all applications

Industry Sectors

Click Here

Enter The Awards

Showcase personal or organisation excellence

Advertise With Us

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise With Us

Click Here
Scroll to Top