Reflecting on London’s own New Year’s celebrations, ex-Scotland Yard Detective Peter Bleksley praised the police and security for their “professionalism” in keeping the capital safe.
He said: “It appears events went off mainly peacefully, overwhelmingly peacefully last night. And let’s give our beleaguered police credit where it’s due. The Metropolitan Police, together with I’m sure thousands of security staff last night would appear to have done a very professional job and I doff my cap to them for that.
“The closing of Primrose Hill of course was unfortunate, but that was not a decision made by the Metropolitan Police, that was made by those responsible for maintaining and looking after the park and and controlling access to it.
“They felt that 30,000 people gathering together, which was the kind of number they thought on Primrose Hill, would not be a number that they could manage safely and therefore after consultation with other partners, they decided to close the park.
“It is very, very sad. I think perhaps there needs to be a rethink so that in 12 months time people might be able to gather there to see the fireworks for free and to join in the revelry of New Year’s Eve.”
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