Taipei, Dec. 21 (CNA) Authorities across Taiwan have stepped up security measures ahead of Christmas and New Year events, following a knife and smoke bomb attack in Taipei on Friday that left four dead and 11 injured.
In a bid to prevent potential copycat incidents, police deployments have been expanded for large gatherings, transport hubs, and other crowded public spaces, according to official statements from police and city authorities.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said the city has "comprehensively raised security readiness" in crowded areas, increased police deployments with armed officers, and intensified patrols during weekends and nighttime hours, according to the Taipei City government on Saturday.
For upcoming large-scale events, security checkpoints and explosive detection measures will be introduced, the city government said.
The Taipei City Police Department Songshan Precinct said it has implemented multilayered security measures for events at Taipei Arena, deploying armed patrol officers around the venue and at MRT Taipei Arena Station.
Similarly, New Taipei Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said the city will work closely with the central government to boost patrol density and protective capacity to ensure that the public can participate in events "with peace of mind," according to a city government statement issued Saturday.
In Hsinchu City, the Police Bureau said it has increased patrols at crowded locations and major transport nodes and has established joint hotlines with national railway service providers.
In central Taiwan, the Taichung City government said it has established real-time reporting systems for Christmas events and the 2026 New Year's Eve gala, while the Changhua County Police Department said it had deployed nearly 100 personnel to provide security at a year-end concert at Changhua County Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Chiayi City Police Department said it has raised security levels for large events and has implemented high-density patrols and guard duties at key transport hubs, including Taiwan Railway's Chiayi Station, Jiabei Station, and Chiayi City Transit Center.
Cities in southern Taiwan are also stepping up security for holiday events, with the Tainan City Police Department 4th Precinct saying it will deploy 230 police officers and 46 civilian personnel, set up a forward command post, activate joint security mechanisms with organizers, and deploy bomb-sniffing dogs at an upcoming Christmas concert at a plaza near the Yonghua Civic Center.
In Kaohsiung, the city's Police Department Xinxing Precinct said it has increased police deployments, enforced high-density patrols, and strengthened joint security mechanisms at Central Park, Yuzhu Shopping District, and key Kaohsiung Metro stations for the Kaohsiung Christmas Life Festival 2025.
The heightened measures nationwide follow an incident on Friday in which a 27-year-old Taiwanese man threw smoke bombs and stabbed passersby near Taipei Main Station and MRT Zhongshan Station.
Three of the victims died, at least 11 were injured, and the attacker later jumped to his death from the sixth floor of a department store building during a police pursuit.
