Londoners have expressed anger and frustration after Primrose Hill, a popular spot for viewing New Year's Eve fireworks, was closed off. The decision, made by The Royal Parks charity, cites diminished crowd management capabilities partly due to the disbanding of the Metropolitan Police's Royal Parks Operational Command Unit. Previously, an estimated 30,000 people gathered at the park for the event, which is not an organized affair, leading to limited public safety controls. This closure is unprecedented for the public park, which offers panoramic views of the city and has historically been a gathering place for this celebration.
The closure comes after a tragic incident on New Year's Eve 2023, where a 16-year-old boy was fatally stabbed at the fireworks viewing. While the Metropolitan Police stated the closure is not a direct result of the Royal Parks police disbandment, they acknowledged a police presence would be maintained to respond to criminality. However, preventing access to the park is not their responsibility. Local residents view the extensive fencing and hoarding as an overreaction, with concerns about the impact on local businesses and the belief that people may still attempt to access the park. The park gates will be locked from 8 PM on December 30th until 6 AM on New Year's Day.