This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22168556
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Boston Marathon: Police confident of London's safety | Boston Marathon: Police confident of London's safety |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has sought to reassure people ahead of the London Marathon, saying security is being reviewed. | Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has sought to reassure people ahead of the London Marathon, saying security is being reviewed. |
| His officers will continue to monitor events in Boston, where bombs killed three people at a marathon on Monday. | |
| London's event takes place on Sunday with about 36,000 people due to start and many thousands more on the route. | London's event takes place on Sunday with about 36,000 people due to start and many thousands more on the route. |
| In a message to runners and spectators, he said "there is no reason to believe they are less safe than yesterday". | In a message to runners and spectators, he said "there is no reason to believe they are less safe than yesterday". |
| "We are reviewing our procedures... which is the sensible thing to do". | "We are reviewing our procedures... which is the sensible thing to do". |
| Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe added: "We are taking it seriously as a potential link, we will increase searches and put more officers on the street. | Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe added: "We are taking it seriously as a potential link, we will increase searches and put more officers on the street. |
| "There may be no link to the UK in which case the threat is defused." | "There may be no link to the UK in which case the threat is defused." |
| Event organisers said the race's runner registration and associated events would begin on Wednesday as planned. | Event organisers said the race's runner registration and associated events would begin on Wednesday as planned. |
| Marks of respect | |
| On Sunday, there will be a period of silence lasting 30 seconds prior to the start of the elite men's race and mass start to "mark the tragic events that have unfolded in Boston in the last 24 hours". | |
| Runners are also being encouraged to wear a black ribbon "as a show of solidarity with all those affected in Boston". | |
| London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said: "The support we have been offered by our stakeholders and the wider running community has been outstanding. We have the full support of the Metropolitan Police, the Mayor's office and other authorities. | London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said: "The support we have been offered by our stakeholders and the wider running community has been outstanding. We have the full support of the Metropolitan Police, the Mayor's office and other authorities. |
| "We want to reassure our runners, spectators, volunteers and everyone connected with the event, that we are doing everything to ensure their safety and that the Virgin London Marathon 2013 is an outstanding success." | "We want to reassure our runners, spectators, volunteers and everyone connected with the event, that we are doing everything to ensure their safety and that the Virgin London Marathon 2013 is an outstanding success." |
| London Mayor Boris Johnson has also spoken to police about the possibility of extra security on the day. | London Mayor Boris Johnson has also spoken to police about the possibility of extra security on the day. |
| In Boston, at least three people are known to have been killed on Monday and more than 100 injured in blasts close to the marathon's finishing line. | In Boston, at least three people are known to have been killed on Monday and more than 100 injured in blasts close to the marathon's finishing line. |
| 'Show solidarity' | |
| Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said he was "absolutely confident" the London Marathon could be kept safe. | Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said he was "absolutely confident" the London Marathon could be kept safe. |
| London had "enormous experience" of delivering major events and the UK had some of the best security professionals in the world, he told the BBC, adding: "This is one of those instances where the best way to show solidarity with Boston is to continue." | London had "enormous experience" of delivering major events and the UK had some of the best security professionals in the world, he told the BBC, adding: "This is one of those instances where the best way to show solidarity with Boston is to continue." |
| Home Secretary Theresa May has been briefed on the bombings by Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick and MI5 chief Sir Jonathan Evans. | Home Secretary Theresa May has been briefed on the bombings by Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick and MI5 chief Sir Jonathan Evans. |
| At this stage, there are no plans for a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra, but high-level discussions were already planned and will go ahead because of Baroness Thatcher's funeral on Wednesday. | At this stage, there are no plans for a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra, but high-level discussions were already planned and will go ahead because of Baroness Thatcher's funeral on Wednesday. |
| The Met Police said security for the funeral in central London would not be affected by the Boston explosions and that it was a very different event. | The Met Police said security for the funeral in central London would not be affected by the Boston explosions and that it was a very different event. |
| St James's Palace said Prince Harry would still attend the marathon to make presentations to the winners. | St James's Palace said Prince Harry would still attend the marathon to make presentations to the winners. |
| The London Marathon route, which is lined by hundreds of thousands of spectators every year, starts in Blackheath and finishes near Buckingham Palace, passing some of the capital's most recognisable landmarks including Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and Big Ben. | The London Marathon route, which is lined by hundreds of thousands of spectators every year, starts in Blackheath and finishes near Buckingham Palace, passing some of the capital's most recognisable landmarks including Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and Big Ben. |
| London Mayor Boris Johnson has spoken to the Met police commissioner about the possibility of extra security for the London Marathon. | London Mayor Boris Johnson has spoken to the Met police commissioner about the possibility of extra security for the London Marathon. |
| "We do have robust security measures in place, but given events in Boston it's only prudent for the police and the organisers of Sunday's race to re-examine those security arrangements," he said. | "We do have robust security measures in place, but given events in Boston it's only prudent for the police and the organisers of Sunday's race to re-examine those security arrangements," he said. |
| Paula Radcliffe, three times winner of the London marathon, had urged people attending the race to be vigilant and does not think she would be prepared to bring her family were she competing. | Paula Radcliffe, three times winner of the London marathon, had urged people attending the race to be vigilant and does not think she would be prepared to bring her family were she competing. |
| "I'm confident in the race organisers and the Met Police and they won't let it go ahead unless they are satisfied. But over 26 miles, you can't guarantee everything." | "I'm confident in the race organisers and the Met Police and they won't let it go ahead unless they are satisfied. But over 26 miles, you can't guarantee everything." |
| 'Total disbelief' | 'Total disbelief' |
| According to the Boston Marathon website, 374 of the more than 25,000 registered entrants to one of the US's biggest sporting events were British. | According to the Boston Marathon website, 374 of the more than 25,000 registered entrants to one of the US's biggest sporting events were British. |
| UK Athletics confirmed that none of its elite runners had taken part. | UK Athletics confirmed that none of its elite runners had taken part. |
| Keith Luxom, part of a group of 24 British runners, had already finished when the bombs went off. He told BBC Breakfast the jubilant mood changed to one of "shock, horror and total disbelief that people would target this great institution". | Keith Luxom, part of a group of 24 British runners, had already finished when the bombs went off. He told BBC Breakfast the jubilant mood changed to one of "shock, horror and total disbelief that people would target this great institution". |
| Another runner, Owain Griffiths, from Cyncoed in Cardiff, said "a day of enjoyment" had descended into "unthinkable horror". | Another runner, Owain Griffiths, from Cyncoed in Cardiff, said "a day of enjoyment" had descended into "unthinkable horror". |
| Police say they have also launched a review of security for the Greater Manchester Marathon, due to take place on Sunday 28 April. | Police say they have also launched a review of security for the Greater Manchester Marathon, due to take place on Sunday 28 April. |