Primrose Hill will be locked to the public as part of wider park closures across London, meaning crowds will be unable to access the popular viewing spot for the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
The closure comes after 16-year-old Harry Pitman was fatally stabbed at the park while watching the celebrations in 2023.
Areece Lloyd-Hall, 18, was jailed for a minimum of 16 years in November for his murder.
The Royal Parks said there are no official viewing areas for the fireworks in any of the parks and urged the public not to travel to them without a ticket for the event.
A spokesperson for The Royal Parks said: “There are no official viewing areas for the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve firework display in any of the Royal Parks.
“We urge visitors not to travel into London to watch the fireworks without a ticket.”
The park will close at 8pm on Tuesday, December 30 and reopen at 6am on Thursday, January 1. Other Royal Parks will also be closed or restricted for the evening, including Greenwich Park and St James’s Park.
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The Met Police is coordinating a large-scale operation across all 32 London boroughs and is advising the public to avoid parks, including Primrose Hill, which will be locked, and instead head to organised events.
Commander Nick John, who is leading the New Year’s Eve policing operation, said: “We would encourage the public to avoid parks such as Primrose Hill that will be closed, and instead spend their evening at one of the many organised events taking place across London.”
He said officers will be present city-wide to deter crime and ensure public safety.
New Year’s Eve is expected to be one of the busiest nights of the year for emergency services, with police on duty across the capital.
The Mayor of London’s fireworks event is fully ticketed and sold out. The Met is urging people not to attempt entry without a ticket and to follow advice from police and event organisers.
