A MAJOR scam saw thousands of revellers gather for a fake fireworks event on New Year’s Eve – as cops warned hopefuls to go home.
Crowds flocked to Birmingham city centre for the bogus display, which was expected to take place at Centenary Square.
AlamyCrowds flocked to Centenary Square, Birmingham yesterday[/caption]
AlamyLocals were expecting a firework display[/caption]
AlamyOfficers from West Midlands Police were present[/caption]
Images show locals standing shoulder to shoulder as they eagerly await the spectacle.
Some can be seen holding up their phones to film fireworks which never went off.
Officers from West Midlands Police can also be seen manning the area.
But the force had already warned punters at around 2pm that the event was a fake.
In a statement shared to Facebook at around 2pm, a spokesperson said: “We’re aware of speculation of a New Year’s Eve fireworks display taking place in Birmingham’s Centenary Square tonight – but we can confirm this is not the case.
“We don’t want people travelling unnecessarily into the city centre tonight to be left disappointed after discovering the event isn’t taking place.”
Superintendent Emlyn Richards added: “There are rumours online that a fireworks display will take place in Centenary Square but there isn’t a planned event this year.
“We don’t want people travelling into the city to be disappointed when they arrive and discover this is the case.
“There will be thousands of people travelling into the city to enjoy themselves at venues across the city.
“We will be visible on the streets tonight to ensure everything runs smoothly and people have a wonderful evening.”
AlamyThe police force said it was working with the local council to ensure the celebrations were safe[/caption]
AlamyThousands of punters could be seen gathered at the square[/caption]
AlamySome people can be seen holding up their phones to film the display[/caption]
The force also reassured locals that officers would be present to ensure other celebrations across the city went smoothly.
It said it was working alongside Birmingham City Council – and would be checking CCTV from the area.
The council also posted its own warning about the fake Centenary Square display.
It read: “We hope everyone has a great New Year’s Eve, but please be aware of false rumours about a fireworks display in Centenary Sq.
“There is no event so please don’t travel into the city just for that, to avoid disappointment.
“If you are coming into town anyway – have a great evening.”
It comes after thugs stormed a barrier at a London fireworks display last night.
Chaotic footage sent to the Sun showed groups of yobs shoving their way through security on Victoria Street just an hour before the iconic fireworks display took place at Embankment.
Elsewhere across the country, revellers battled travel chaos and braved 75mph winds and torrential rain as they ushered in 2025 with a bang.
The extreme conditions saw some events axed – including those in Blackpool, Newcastle, the Isle of Wight and Ripon and North Yorkshire.
Earlier, the tiny Pacific island of Kiritimati, part of a former British colony called Kiribati, was the first to see the new year.
New Zealand followed soon after with a fireworks display over the 1,076ft Sky Tower – the tallest building in Auckland – as they were the first major city to cheer in 2025.
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AlamyCops put out a warning yesterday afternoon that the event was a fake[/caption]
AlamyWest Midlands Police said officers would be present across the city[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
