New Zealand’s authorities are considering the ramping up of security for this summer’s Lions tour following the terror attack in Manchester.
The British and Irish Lions are due to play their first tour game on June 3 against the NZ Provincial Barbarians side. The 10th and final scheduled match is the third Test against New Zealand’s All Blacks at the 50,000-seat Eden Park on July 8.
With thousands of Lions fans due to travel from the UK and Ireland, New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English admitted that increased security is being discussed.
“We have a team of people who are pretty experienced at it and I’m absolutely sure they will be taking into account these events, if only because so many of the fans coming here are coming from the UK,” English told the Otago Daily Times.
“I think one of the important aspects of how we deal with these incidents is to not allow them to paralyse ongoing public life.”
English added that there was no evidence of a heightened risk of attack in New Zealand, but said intelligence agencies and other officials would remain vigilant.
Major venues across the UK are to increase security measures, following the terrorist attack on Manchester Arena that killed 22 people and injured many others. Wembley officials said there would be “an enhanced security operation” ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup final and play-off finals.
