Metropolitan Police and Royal Parks Issue New Year’s Eve Guidance for Primrose Hill

Individuals planning to visit Primrose Hill in the period leading up to New Year’s Eve are being reminded not to bring fireworks or paper lanterns, and that the location is not an official viewing area for the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display. The Metropolitan Police is collaborating with the Royal Parks, the charity responsible for the upkeep of London’s eight Royal Parks, including Primrose Hill, to prevent large groups from igniting their own fireworks. Police officers patrolling the north London park on New Year’s Eve will inform people that it will close at 01:00 GMT on New Year’s Day. On New Year’s Eve 2023, 16-year-old Harry Pitman was fatally stabbed at the park shortly before midnight. A Royal Parks spokesperson stated: “Having consulted with our key partners post New Year’s Eve 2023 we agreed that we needed a measured and balanced approach to managing the crowds that gather on Primrose Hill.” The spokesperson continued: “We have always worked with the Metropolitan Police Service to try to deter people from coming to Primrose Hill on New Year’s Eve. They further explained: “Each year we remind people that the lighting of fireworks and lanterns is prohibited under the Royal Parks Regulations and we close the park, with the help of police and stewards at 01:00.” The spokesperson concluded: “This year, in addition to these measures, The Royal Parks has established a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) with multi-agency partners from the MPS, Camden Council, London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and Transport for London.” A Royal Parks Metropolitan Police spokesperson commented that if visitors do not bring fireworks to the park, it would enable officers to “focus their efforts on ensuring that park visitors remain safe, that the atmosphere remains good-natured and that any anti-social behaviour can be dealt with swiftly.” Tickets for London’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display have already become available for purchase. City Hall confirmed that only tickets bought from the authorized outlet Ticketmaster would be accepted and that no official tickets will be sold by any other websites. The display will be broadcast live on BBC One at midnight. For further engagement, listeners can access the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Story ideas can be sent to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.