Why $1 million was spent on security for Taylor Swift concerts in Britain

Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour concerts in London were a phenomenon for fans but also a headache for local police and administration, a new report claims. Marca has reported that the Metropolitan Police spent more than $1 million to secure the singer and her concerts after receiving threats. Her team’s refusal to settle for less made things even more challenging.

$1 million spent on Taylor Swift’s security
Taylor Swift performed in Britain as part of her The Eras Tour, first in June and then again in August. Marca reported that the cost of her security in June was $85,000 per night, but had risen to $125,000 per night upon her return. This was largely due to increased concerns for her safety after bomb blasts disrupted Taylor’s concerts in Vienna.

According to the report, Swift’s team, led by her mother and manager, Andrea Swift, demanded a blue-light police escort, complete with specialized outsiders.

The threat of cancellation
The financial burden of all this on the London police was high, and what made matters worse was the threat of cancellation of the concerts. “Andrea was not afraid to play hardball. She negotiated directly with government officials and insisted that the Met make exceptions to its policy,” the report quoted a source, adding that she even threatened to cancel the concerts. Ultimately, the police relented, as a cancellation could have negatively affected the local economy and also left fans disappointed.

Some critics have now said that Taylor should consider paying back some of the money spent by London’s Metropolitan Police on her security. Singer Harry Styles won hearts with the same gesture last year when he refunded $70,000 of the $275,000 he spent on security for his Wembley concert.