CARDIFF concert venues have reviewed security arrangements following the terrorist attacks in Paris.
The Motorpoint Arena has confirmed that it has introduced “heightened security procedures” as a result of the attacks while the Millennium Centre said that it is “on higher alert”.
Neither were willing to provide further details due to potential security risks. The Millennium Stadium refused to comment on the issue.
The raised alerts follow a vigil that was held outside the Senedd on Sunday night.
Around 100 people gathered outside the building to show their support for the victims of the Paris attacks.
The attendees lit candles in front of the Assembly – which has been illuminated with the French flag.
The event was planned on Facebook by Carlyne Gibb. She said: “I organised the vigil to show my French friends that we stand united with them. I have friends that are in Paris and fortunately they are all okay.”
Carlyne lived in France for three years and found it difficult to watch the attacks as some of her friends were in the area. She later learnt that one of her friends was stuck in a cafe near the shootings.
She added: “I held the event because I wanted to show my French friends that we stand united with them, regardless of religion, nationality, age and race. It went well and the French people I spoke to were delighted and touched that they had so much support at what is a dreadful time for the entire world.
Sabine Ollivier was one of the many French people at the vigil. She said: “Lots of us here are from France and have lots of friends and family in Paris.
“When I found out about the news I felt horrible, I was in tears. Hopefully, there will be peace but this is a war.”
Joao Filipe Ruivo Felix also went to the vigil. He said: “I am here to show solidarity for the people that died and those that suffered. I think change will come from solidarity and not polarising politics.
He also expressed concerns that politicians will use the attacks for “political advantage”.
“In Britain it will be used by the government to pass laws – like the Snoopers Charter – which trade liberty for security. There will also be political gain for anti-immigration politicians,” he added.
Rory Wade was also at the vigil and said: “I felt a moral duty to be here and show solidarity towards the people of Paris.
“I think David Cameron will further his counter-terrorism policies and consider having boots on the ground in Iraq and Syria. I think when that happened in Iraq it made things worse.
“With each attack, Islamophobia increases and if I was a Muslim today I would feel a lot more conscious walking down the street.
“I would say to those Muslims, don’t think that the media or some of the loudmouths on social media reflect all of the people in Britain. If you look, you will find people who are in solidarity with you.”
The secretary of Cardiff Stop the War Coalition, Adam Johannes, said that while the vigils had been marked by “a strong desire for unity and peace”, the government would use the attacks to justify bombing in Syria.
He added: “There will be more war, more crackdowns, more Islamophobia and more treating the entire Muslim population as a suspect community.
“As if fourteen years of the never-ending, ever expanding ‘war on terror’ was not what led us to this.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and the families.”
