Gatherings on Primrose Hill to observe the mayor’s New Year’s fireworks display will be prohibited due to safety concerns regarding large crowds.
Traditionally, this picturesque location in north London attracts thousands of revelers each year on December 31, with attendance reaching as high as 30,000 last year as people celebrated and admired the fireworks illuminating the London skyline.
The Royal Parks authority indicated that this decision is partly a result of the impending dissolution of the Metropolitan Police Royal Parks unit, which is typically responsible for crowd control during such events.
Commander Nick John of the Metropolitan Police remarked, “It is completely false to claim that the disbandment of the Royal Parks team would impact New Year’s Eve policing at Primrose Hill.”
Earlier this year, the Metropolitan Police announced a reduction in its Royal Parks Operational Command Unit in an effort to address a budget shortfall of £260 million.
According to the Royal Parks, the absence of police support means their ability to manage large crowds in such an open space would be “significantly compromised.”
A spokesperson stated, “Given the potential for a substantial number of attendees and the lack of the dedicated Royal Parks Police, we are unable to ensure the necessary safety and crowd management measures.”
“Closing Primrose Hill for the night is the only responsible decision.”
In a statement released on Saturday, Commander John, who is overseeing the Metropolitan Police’s New Year’s Eve operations, explained, “Through meticulous planning, we can assign officers to events based on assessed threats and risks. For instance, on New Year’s Eve 2023-2024, over 130 officers from Camden and Islington were deployed to Primrose Hill.”
He also noted that Metropolitan Police officers will remain available to “respond to emergency calls, patrol key areas, investigate crimes, and support events across Royal Parks in London.”
Additionally, the park will shut down at 22:00 GMT from October 31 to November 9 to mitigate anti-social behavior during the Halloween and bonfire night festivities. The park will reopen at 06:00 during this timeframe.
