A popular viewpoint will be closed to visitors this New Year’s Eve due to concerns over public safety and security, officials have said.
Thousands of people gather every year to watch the Mayor of London’s New Years Eve fireworks display from the top of Primrose Hill, north of Regent’s Park.
But following the disbandment of Met Police’s Royal Parks Operational Command Unit in November, The Royal Parks has confirmed it can no longer provide the safety and crowd control measures required.
As a result, the Hill will be closed on New Year’s Eve and Bonfire Night, with a perimeter fence in place from the evening of December 31 until the morning of January 1.
“The safety of all park visitors is our priority,” a spokesperson for The Royal Parks said.
“With the potential for such a large number of attendees, and the absence of the dedicated Royal Parks Police, we are unable to support the necessary safety and crowd management arrangements. Closing Primrose Hill overnight is the only responsible course of action.”
The Met Police are strongly disputing that the scrapping of the dedicated Parks Police is to blame.
Commander Nick John, who is leading the Met’s policing operation on NYE, said: “It is completely inaccurate to suggest that New Year’s Eve policing at Primrose Hill would be affected by the disbanding of the Royal Parks team.
“As a result of careful planning we are able to allocate officers to events – wherever they are held - based on threat and risk. For example, on New Year’s Eve 2023/2024, more than 130 officers from Camden and Islington were sent to Primrose Hill.
“The Met will continue to respond to emergency calls, patrol hotspot areas, investigate crimes and support events in Royal Parks across London.”
Royal Parks Operational Command Unit provided 15 officers for the 2023/24 NYE police operation, while 130 officers from the Met’s Central North BCU attended.
Schoolboy Harry Pitman, 16, was in a crowd gathered to watch the fireworks over the River Thames when he was stabbed in the neck shortly before midnight on December 31, 2023.
Police officers provided first aid before paramedics arrived but, despite the efforts of emergency services, Harry died at the scene.
The defendant, who cannot be named due to his age, was charged with Harry’s murder six days after his death.
In September last year the defendant faced a murder trial at the Old Bailey but the jury was discharged in October.
A retrial will now take place in October this year.
Visitors to Primrose Hill have been reminded that organising large gatherings without permission and setting off fireworks or lanterns is in breach of The Royal Parks regulations, which are enforced by the Metropolitan Police.
Primrose Hill closes on bonfire night at 10pm each year to limit anti-social behaviour.
This year, the closure will be extended to 10pm each night from October 31 to November 9, the Royal Parks spokesperson added.
Last year, an estimated 30,000 people visited Primrose Hill to view the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve firework display.
Visitors have been urged to make alternative arrangements to celebrate the New Year this year.
