Hordes seen ‘tearing down barriers’ and rushing past security to get into London’s New Year’s Eve viewing areas ‘without tickets’
Large groups of people have knocked down barriers in an attempt to see London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks tonight without a ticket.
They streamed past security on Victoria Street an hour before the fireworks at Embankment.
The restless crowd was pressed against barriers as staff wearing high-vis jackets tried to calm them down.
But then they managed to get past and hordes of people pushed past police officers to get closer to the Thames.
There were similar scenes of chaos across the country last year.
Revelers celebrating NYE stormed the fireworks display in London, held an illegal rave in a forest and mowed down police officers as a mass brawl broke out in Piccadilly Circus.
Video footage from the central London scene last year showed large numbers of people running to the fireworks event on the banks of the Thames pushing through barriers, while police in Westminster drew batons to control the crowds to keep.
Police officers could be seen trying to stop people from walking past as they cheered on the Mayor of London’s fireworks display.
Large groups of people have knocked down barriers in a bid to see London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks tonight without a ticket
Crowds pressed against the barriers as staff in high-vis jackets tried to calm them down
Fireworks light up the sky above the London Eye
From about 11.15pm to midnight there were a number of incidents, including on Westminster Bridge, where groups of people without tickets pushed their way past billboards and fencing for last year’s event.
It comes after the Met Police warned that partygoers who enter the 2025 NYE fireworks display without tickets could be arrested.
The commander leading the NYE police operation said: ‘Unfortunately, in recent years we have seen an increase in the number of incidents where a minority have attempted to illegally force entry into ticketed events, putting the safety of everyone at risk.
“Anyone who tries to gain access in this way tomorrow could be arrested and prosecuted.”
According to The sunWitnesses described the scenes tonight as ‘lawless London’ and people had ‘no regard for safety’.
A huge fireworks show lit up Big Ben despite gale warnings that forced many displays to be scrapped today, with many fans left stunned by a ‘world first’ Paddington Bear cameo on the London Eye.
The beloved bear’s appearance at London’s New Year fireworks thrilled fans, but many were left wondering how it all worked and what the cost was.
This year, millions of people watching the BBC at home were treated to a world-first hologram animation to celebrate the New Year.
These created holographic illusions of British icons and memorable events as the fireworks took place.
Special animations included filling the London Eye with the Union flag to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day last year, Olympic medals to celebrate Team GB’s success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, and wishing a happy 25th birthday to the London Eye.
Barriers were knocked down as people tried to enter the event last year
Last year, people attended the sold-out event in London at multiple points around the city
It also featured the world’s first special appearance by Paddington Bear.
Hologauze is a specialized projection screen designed to create holographic effects.
It is a patented mesh covered with a highly reflective silver metallic layer.
It also included a reference to Charli XCX’s viral “brat summer,” which captured millions of young people on social media in 2024.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: ‘It’s fantastic to welcome 2025 with our biggest and best New Year’s Eve celebrations ever. Around 100,000 Londoners and visitors gathered on the banks of the Thames for an unforgettable night of fireworks, lights and music, while millions at home watched our world’s first use of hologram animations to celebrate the New Year.
‘From honoring the heroes of the D-Day landings to Paddington Bear celebrating the diversity of our capital, I’m proud that we’ve sent a message of hope and love to the world as we build a better London for everyone.’
The fireworks culminated in a golden extravaganza of glitter lighting up the sky above London, with Paddington closing the show by saying: ‘As you ring in the new year, always remember […]: In London everyone is different, and that means everyone can belong. Happy new year.’
A huge fireworks show lit up Big Ben despite storm warnings forcing many displays to be scrapped today, leaving many fans stunned by a ‘world first’ Paddington Bear cameo
Fireworks light up the sky around the London Eye to celebrate the New Year in London
Fireworks light up the sky above the Elizabeth Tower, also known as Big Ben, and the London Eye in central London during New Year’s celebrations
Fireworks explode in the sky around the London Eye and the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known by the name of the clock, ‘Big Ben’, at the Palace of Westminster, home to the Houses of Parliament, in central London, just after midnight on January 1, 2025
Thousands lined the Thames embankment to watch a spectacular fireworks display around the London Eye.
The annual showstopper saw around 100,000 ticket holders converge on the banks of the River Thames to witness the capital’s biggest ever celebration of fireworks, lights and music, with many millions watching from homes around the world.
More than 12,000 fireworks and 420 lights lit up the sky around the London Eye as the eyes of the world watched London’s unforgettable show, to a soundtrack of cold-dance songs and voiceover bits.
The iconic celebration, which started with Big Ben’s famous chimes, will be shown live to many millions around the world and to tens of millions more on social media, boosting London’s economy and providing incredible global advertising for our tourism industry .