Security tight in London as thousands celebrate new year

Fireworks explode in front of Malaysia’s landmark building, Petronas Twin Towers, during the New Year’s Eve celebration in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 1, 2016.

The show from the Harbour Bridge and Opera House in Australia’s largest city is traditionally the world’s first major event to ring in the New Year.

In Britain, Scotland Yard said around 3,000 officers were deployed across central London in what was reported to be an unprecedented anti-terror security effort.

Just half an hour before the celebrations began in Germany, police evacuated two stations in the southern city of Munich after receiving “reliable information” about a plot to carry out a suicide attack at midnight by IS.

Speaking to Belgian broadcasters, Mayor Yvan Mayeur said that according to a crisis center analysis it would not be possible to screen the tens of thousands of people who were expected to turn out for fireworks and other festivities.

People watch fireworks next to tractors of Minsk Tractor Plant decorated to mark the upcoming New Year celebrations during a show in Minsk, Belarus, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015.

The Met confirmed New Year’s Eve was one of two events – along with Notting Hill Carnival – in which there was no holiday entitlement, meaning all available staff were called upon.

As in previous years, the London Eye was the focal point of the pyrotechnic extravaganza, which could be seen for miles around.

Here are photos of the new year festivities in the different countries, on the first minutes of 2016.

London New Year’s Day Parade spokesman Dan Kirkby said: “It has been fantastic and we’ve seen about 500,000 people come along – the best turn-out we have ever seen”.

Meanwhile the Lord Mayor of Belfast has paid tribute to Syrian refugees now settling into life here in Belfast, in his New Year message.

David Bowie, Bastille, Apollo 440, Lenny Kravitz, The Weeknd, INXS and a One Direction remix were amongst the tracks used to soundtrack London’s spectacular New Year’s fireworks display last night (December 31).