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Boston Marathon: Police confident of London's safety Boston Marathon: Silent tribute planned for London run
(about 1 hour later)
Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has sought to reassure people ahead of the London Marathon, saying security is being reviewed. There will be a 30-second silence at the start of the London Marathon on Sunday, and runners will be given a black ribbon to wear, organisers say.
His officers will continue to monitor events in Boston, where bombs killed three people at a marathon on Monday. Race director Hugh Brasher said organisers wanted to show support for Boston, after the bombings which killed three and injured more than 150.
London's event takes place on Sunday with about 36,000 people due to start and many thousands more on the route. The tribute will be held at the start of the elite men's race and mass start.
In a message to runners and spectators, he said "there is no reason to believe they are less safe than yesterday". Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe sought to reassure people the London race would be safe.
"We are reviewing our procedures... which is the sensible thing to do". He said: "We are reviewing our plans which is sensible... We will increase searching, we will make sure we've got more officers on the street looking after people, making sure they're safe."
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. He added: "We've no reason to think they're any less safe than they were before the terrible events in Boston yesterday."
"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 'Enormous experience'
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". London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel earlier 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.
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.
"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. "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.
'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.
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. Paula Radcliffe, three times winner of the London marathon, urged people attending the race to be vigilant.
"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. "I have every confidence in the London Marathon community and the Metropolitan Police that they won't let it go ahead unless they have done everything possible," she said in a BBC interview.
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. "But it's still 26 miles...it's going to be hard. It's going to rely on people being vigilant and aware of what is going on around them as well.
"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 think first and foremost as a mother I'd think more about having family at the finish area."
'Total disbelief''Total disbelief'
In Boston, the first of the explosions went off close to the marathon finish line at about at 14:50 local time (18:50 GMT) on Monday.
Seconds later, as rescuers were rushing to help the injured, another explosion went off nearby.
Among the dead were an eight-year-old boy, Martin Richard, from Boston. Doctors treating the wounded have said a number of people have had pellets and "nail-like" fragments removed from their bodies, and there are reports of several amputations.
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.