Every firearms officer in London was on duty to protect the New Year celebrations in an unprecedented security operation. While New Year celebration gets cancelled in several places in Europe, e.g. Brussels, Scotland Yard cancelled their New Year leave for more than 2,000 armed officers – the first time they have taken such a step – as part of the largest-ever police mobilisation for December 31 festivities.
Boris Johnson MP, the Mayor of London, exhorted partygoers to “get out there” and “soak up” the atmosphere as the capital prepared for the chimes of Big Ben at midnight.
Mr Johnson said: “It's business as usual.
“From our fantastic fireworks on the banks of the Thames to thousands of events in pubs, clubs and restaurants across the city I'd urge Londoners and visitors alike to get out there and soak up the best we have to offer.
"As with any other major event in the capital our policing response will be appropriate, but I'd stress we've seen nothing to suggest a specific threat to London.”
Mr Johnson added: “I've no doubt people will be out there enjoying themselves in their hundreds of thousands. And so they should be."
“All firearms officers will be on duty. There is no leave for firearms teams to provide greater cover."
Ken Marsh, Metropolitan Police Federation, the leader of rank-and-file police in the capital, echoed the mayor’s comments and predicted Londoners would show their traditional resilience and enjoy the party as normal.
“All firearms officers will be on duty. There is no leave for firearms teams to provide greater cover,” he said.
“There is an awful lot of work going on behind the scenes.
“I think people will defy the terrorist threat.
“Londoners are very resilient and have a lot of faith in their police officers to keep them safe.”
