Much has been reported about the attempted bombings on June 29, 2007 that were averted by the diligent work of the intelligence and law enforcement communities in the UK. Dr. Bilal Abdulla is now on trial for the failed car bomb driven into the Glasgow Airport as well as the failed bombing of the Tiger Tiger nightclub. Here's the thing about the failed bomb outside of Tiger Tiger...
It was also in the same block as Theatre Royal Haymarket and Her Majesty's Theatre.
Her Majesty's Theatre has been the home to The Phantom of the Opera since 1986. The Theatre Royal Haymarket was getting ready to open Roger Crane's The Last Confession. I doubt the religious theme of the production was a provocation for the terrorists, but it could have been. There was likely more "evil" to be eradicated at the nightclub, but the second faulty bomb was dangerously close the theatre none the less.
Why do we care?
A few reasons. Theatres offer attractive targets. They predictability release a mass of people onto the street after every performance. Theatres also tend to attract a more affluent patron than the second run movie theater down the street. Finally, theatres have fewer uniformed security personnel or worse yet, depend on a core of elderly women armed with flashlights and name badges brandishing the title "usher" to be the eyes and ears of patron safety. Only when a rock concert or r&b act are in the venue is security a consideration (and that is only to protect the theatre from drunk and rowdy patrons). All of these factors should make us pause and take notice.
The International Association of Assembly Managers offers some very good "best practices" when it comes to venue security. Homeland Security also has created some good resources with their Special Events Contingency Planning Job Aid. The DHS IS-15 course is under revision, and has been for some time, but when it becomes available again, it is worthwhile training.
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