Suspected Taylor Swift stalker arrested by German police before concert in Gelsenkirchen

German police have arrested a suspected stalker of Taylor Swift before the US superstar kicked off the German leg of her record-breaking Eras Tour in the western city of Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday evening.

The man was arrested based on information provided by the event’s organizers, police said in a statement.

The man threatened the singer, a police spokeswoman said, without giving further details.

Overall, Wednesday’s concert was a peaceful event attended by around 60,000 visitors, the statement said.

A police operation in connection with another incident led to delays as fans left the venue after the concert, police said.

A 70-year-old man called the police for help, the spokeswoman said. When officers arrived, they heard bangs and blocked an access road to the nearby arena.

The man, who suffered from mental health problems, was taken to hospital, according to police. It was initially unclear what caused the loud noises.

In the run-up to the concerts, the city put up signs temporarily renaming itself “Swiftkirchen” and honored the singer on a “Walk of Fame” commemorating local celebrities.

After Gelsenkirchen, Swift plans concerts in two other German cities, Hamburg and Munich.

Swift, who last toured Germany nine years ago.

Gelsenkirchen expects around 200,000 fans to attend the three concerts.