Groups of people broke down barriers in an attempt to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks in London tonight without a ticket.
They passed the Victoria Street security checkpoint an hour before the fireworks display took place on the Embankment.
The restless crowd was pressed against the barriers as staff in high-visibility jackets tried to calm them.
But then they managed to get through and hordes of people pushed past police officers to get closer to the Thames.
Last year there were also similar scenes of chaos across the country.
Revelers celebrating New Year’s Eve crashed London’s fireworks display, held an illegal rave in a forest and mowed down police officers, with a massive brawl breaking out in Piccadilly Circus.
Videos from the scene in central London last year showed swaths of people running towards the fireworks event on the banks of the Thames while breaking through barriers, while police brought out batons in Westminster to control the crowd.
Police officers could be seen trying to stop people from passing as they ran around cheering the Mayor of London’s fireworks display.
Hundreds of people broke down barriers in a bid to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks in London tonight without a ticket.
Crowds pressed against barriers as staff in high-visibility jackets tried to calm them.
Fireworks light up the sky over the London Eye
From around 11.15pm until midnight there were a series of incidents, including on Westminster Bridge, where groups of people without tickets forced their way through fences and fences for last year’s event.
It comes after the Metropolitan Police warned that revelers who force their way into the 2025 New Year’s Eve fireworks without tickets could be arrested.
The commander leading the New Year’s police operation said: “Sadly in recent years we have seen an increase in incidents where a minority have attempted to illegally force entry to ticketed events, putting everyone’s safety at risk.”
“Anyone trying to enter this way tomorrow could be arrested and face prosecution.”
According the sunWitnesses described tonight’s scenes as “lawless London” and people had “no regard for security.”
A massive fireworks display lit up Big Ben despite storm warnings that forced many shows to be canceled today, and many fans were stunned by a Paddington Bear cameo “for the first time in the world” inside the London Eye.
The beloved bear’s appearance at the New Year’s fireworks in London thrilled fans, but left many wondering how it all worked out and what the cost was.
This year, millions of people watching the BBC at home were able to enjoy the world’s first use of hologauze animations to ring in the new year.
These created holographic illusions of British icons and memorable events while the fireworks took place.
Special entertainment included the filling of the London Eye with the Union Flag in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day last year, Olympic medals to celebrate Team GB’s success at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the wish a happy 25th birthday to the London Eye.
Barriers were knocked down when people tried to enter the event last year.
Last year, people flocked to the sold-out London event in several parts of the city.
It also featured the world’s first guest appearance by Paddington Bear.
Hologauze is a specialized projection screen designed to create holographic effects.
It is a patented gauze coated with a highly reflective silver metallic layer.
It also included a reference to Charli XCX’s viral ‘brat summer’ that captured millions of young people on social media in 2024.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “It’s fantastic to welcome 2025 with our biggest and best New Year’s Eve celebrations. Around 100,000 Londoners and visitors gathered on the banks of the Thames for an unforgettable night of fireworks, lighting and music, while millions at home watched our world’s first use of hologram animations to ring in the new year.
“From honoring the heroes of the D-Day landings to Paddington Bear celebrating the diversity of our capital, I am proud to have sent a message of hope and love to the world, as we build a better London for everyone.”
The fireworks culminated in a golden spectacle of sparkles that lit up the London sky, and Paddington closed the show by saying: “As you enter the new year, always remember (…): In London, everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in. Happy New Year.’
A huge fireworks display lit up Big Ben despite storm warnings that forced many shows to be canceled today, and many fans were stunned by a cameo from Paddington Bear “for the first time in the world”.
Fireworks light up the sky around the London Eye to celebrate the New Year in London
Fireworks light up the sky over the Elizabeth Tower, also known as Big Ben, and the London Eye in central London during New Year celebrations.
Fireworks explode in the sky around the London Eye and the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known by the name of the clock bell, ‘Big Ben’, at the Palace of Westminster, home of the Houses of Parliament, in central London , shortly after midnight. January 1, 2025
Thousands of people gathered along the Thames Embankment to watch a spectacular fireworks display around the London Eye.
At the spectacular annual event, around 100,000 ticket holders gathered on the banks of the River Thames to witness the largest celebration of fireworks, lighting and music ever held in the capital, with many millions of people watching from homes around the world .
More than 12,000 fireworks and 420 lights illuminated the sky around the London Eye as the eyes of the world watched the unforgettable London spectacle, complete with a soundtrack of songs to get people dancing into the cold and voice-over clips.
The iconic celebration, which began with the famous chimes of Big Ben, is shown live to many millions of people around the world and tens of millions more on social media, boosting London’s economy and providing incredible global publicity for our tourist industry.