CSSC London GREEN Message – MPS & BTP Bulletin re New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

With 2018 just around the corner, people are now thinking about their New Year’s Eve celebrations and where they will be celebrating.

The Metropolitan Police Service has been working closely with the Mayor’s Office, British Transport Police (BTP), Westminster Council, Transport for London (TfL) and others to ensure those watching the fireworks and enjoying other events across the Capital, have a fun and safe evening.

The Mayor’s fireworks display is ticketed, and it is now sold out – so the advice from the Met is to stay at home and watch them from the comfort and warmth of your home.

Whether you have a ticket, have reserved a booking at a restaurant or club, or are going to another celebration across the Capital, ensure you plan your journey. In central London, road closures will start going in from 14:00, check the relevant websites for public transport.

Superintendent Nick Aldworth, the Met’s spokesperson for NYE, said:

 

“New Year’s Eve is a celebratory time for people, and we have been working hard with the organisers and event security team to ensure it’s a safe and enjoyable evening.

“The policing plan has been developed and reviewed following the tragic incidents that have occurred through the year. Whilst there is no specific threat to this event, we ask people to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to an officer or event staff.

“We will have the right response of officers at the right locations; this will be a mix of overt and covert officers deployed, as well as dogs, and the use of CCTV and automatic number plate recognition.

“People can expect to see armed officers in the area, and we will be using vehicle barriers across the event area.

“Security is paramount for us, and so we ask for patience and co-operation when getting through the check and search points.

“We would also ask people coming to plan their journey, wrap up warm and pre-arrange a meeting point should they become separated from each other.

“The operation will include the Thames, a lot of work has been undertaken by colleagues in the Marine Policing Unit to ensure the safety of those partying on the boats, and collaborative work between the police, Ports of London Authority and RNLI.”

On the day, you can follow us on Twitter @MPSEvents, and you can get live updates @LDN_gov

**** Tips to help you enjoy your New Year’s Eve: ****

– If you’re coming to the Mayor of London’s ticketed fireworks display, check out all the information you’ll need on the official website: www.london.gov.uk

– If you don’t have a ticket, our advice is to watch the coverage on television.

– Most bars and clubs are ticket only or you need to book in advance.

– If you’re going to be outside for the fireworks make sure you wrap up warm as there is likely to be lots of waiting around.

– Travel around town by public transport, if you drive into town during the day you won’t be able to drive home once road closures have been put in place. Visit www.met.police.uk for information on road closures that could affect your journey.

– If you’re travelling by public transport, plan your journey and check the times of your last bus, tube or train. Visit www.tfl.gov.uk/nye for travel information.

– There is a huge demand for public transport at certain points in the evening. After midnight you may have to wait some time before getting on the tube or train so be prepared to queue.

– Criminals use the cover of crowds to commit crime – keep a close eye on all your belongings and only carry the essentials.

 

Chief Superintendent John Conaghan, Silver Commander for the British Transport Police said:

London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations provide one of the busiest nights of the year for the emergency services and we will be deploying additional officers across the transport network throughout the evening. This will include the deployment of additional armed patrols and other specialist officers. Working with colleagues from the Metropolitan Police and other emergency services we will do all we can to ensure those attending celebrations in the Capital can do so as safely and securely as possible whilst providing, where required an effective, co-ordinated response to incidents.

New Year’s Day Parade

On New Year’s Day Central London will be affected by a number of road closures in order to facilitate the New Year’s Day Parade. Please find below a summary of the parade route and road closures:

  • Berkeley Square including all access to the Square for the form up of the parade.
  • The parade will travel along Piccadilly from the underpass, Piccadilly Circus, Lower Regent Street, Waterloo Place, Pall Mall, Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Parliament Street.
  • All roads will be reopened once safe to do so.

If you are visiting London for the New Year’s Day parade, please enjoy the day and keep your belongings safe. Further updates on the day can be obtained by following us on Twitter @MetPoliceEvents

Live updates are also available from the event organisers @LNYDP.