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Boston police amp up concert security after explosion at Ariana Grande showin UK – Metro US

Boston police amp up concert security after explosion at Ariana Grande showin UK

Manchester explosion

Boston police are increasing security patrols at concerts and sporting events in the wake of an apparent terror attack during an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, Monday night.

An explosion detonated at the Manchester Arena in an attack that officials are treating as a terror incident. A supposed suicide bomber killed 22 people and injured at least 50, authorities said.

The Boston Police Department released a statement Monday night saying that officials were “closely monitoring the situation with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”

There are no specific threats in Boston, BPD said, but the department has still “increased patrols at concert venues in and around the city.”

This will be a “long view approach,” a police spokesman noted, as there are a few big events on the horizon in Boston.

This weekend in the city is Boston Calling, a three-day music festival that attracted nearly 20,000 people in its inaugural year in 2013 and has only grown in size since.

This year, the event will be held at Allston’s Harvard Athletics Complex for the first time. In previous years the festival was held at City Hall Plaza.

“The [security] plans are being re-evaluated and revised as needed for many upcoming events,” said Officer James Kenneally.

The Boston Calling website lists prohibited items, including cigarettes, lighters, weapons of any kind, bags larger than 12 inches by 12 inches, laser pens, umbrellas, any container of liquid other than a factory sealed bottle of water and more.

The co-founders of Boston Calling, Mike Snow and Brian Appel, addressed the attack in a statement.

“We are deeply saddened about the recent tragedy in Manchester, England. Our thoughts are with all of the victims and their families, as well as the performers, crew, producers and the entire Manchester community,” they said.

“The safety of our fans remains our number one priority,” the statement continued. “We continue to work with Boston, state, Cambridge and MBTA police to take all appropriate steps to ensure our event will be executed in a safe and secure manner for everyone this weekend.” 

Gov. Charlie Baker spoke to the British consul general Tuesday morning to express his sadness and offer any assistance the state may be able to provide. 

“Just another example of why we need to continue to be vigilant as a country and as a community about domestic terrorism,” he said, according to State House News Service. 

Baker noted that he has three kids in their 20s who would have been at such an event. He reiterated that there is no known threat to Boston.

“People talked all night last night just to be sure there wasn’t any concern with respect to a threat here in the commonwealth and there isn’t,” he said, “but we’re taking additional precautions across our public transportation systems and at the airport just to be sure.”