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England welcomes in the New Year England welcomes in the New Year
(about 3 hours later)
Thousands of revellers have braved cold weather to see in the New Year at events across England.Thousands of revellers have braved cold weather to see in the New Year at events across England.
The largest celebrations have been taking place in London, where crowds lined the banks of the Thames for the city's annual fireworks display.The largest celebrations have been taking place in London, where crowds lined the banks of the Thames for the city's annual fireworks display.
Firework displays also started 2009 in Manchester, the city's first major firework event since the millennium, and in Birmingham.Firework displays also started 2009 in Manchester, the city's first major firework event since the millennium, and in Birmingham.
Temperatures are expected to fall below freezing in many places across England. Temperatures fell below freezing in several parts of England.
Up to half a million people were thought to be at the firework display in central London, with the night one of the busiest of the year for the Metropolitan Police.Up to half a million people were thought to be at the firework display in central London, with the night one of the busiest of the year for the Metropolitan Police.
Free TubesFree Tubes
Superintendent Brian Pearce said viewing areas near the London Eye started to fill up at about 1800 GMT and were closed by 2300 GMT as they were full. Scotland Yard said it had made 78 arrests during the festivities in the capital, with about 3,300 officers involved in the Met's policing of the night.
He said: "People seem to have listened to advice to plan ahead and arrive in good time. Supt Brian Pearce said the majority of revellers had been well behaved.
"We've only had 10 arrests in total across central London and they were mainly for drunkenness. It's very good when you consider the number of people in central London tonight."Many people crowded into Whitehall to watch the firework display He said: "The nature of New Year's Eve in central London has changed. What used to be a relatively low-key spontaneous night is now a world-class event that attracts thousands and thousands of people.
He said there could be a repeat of scenes last year when revellers had to queue for up to three hours to get on to Tube trains home. "The atmosphere of the event meant that in the main the crowds were good humoured and there were no major issues reported to police."
Tubes will run until 0430 GMT and travel home is free but Transport for London has warned several stations will be exit-only around midnight, including Charing Cross, Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Westminster. Viewing areas for the firework display near the London Eye started to fill up at about 1800 GMT and were closed by 2300 GMT as they were full.Many people crowded into Whitehall to watch the firework display
Extensive road closures have also been put in place. Tubes ran until 0430 GMT and travel home was free but Supt Pearce said there could be a repeat of scenes last year when revellers had to queue for up to three hours to get on to Tube trains home.
Extra police have been deployed in popular gathering spots, including Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, where police were on raised viewing platforms to oversee festivities. Extra police were deployed in popular gathering spots, including Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, where police were on raised viewing platforms to oversee festivities.
Of the 78 arrests, 39 were for public order offences, 18 for assault, 10 for being drunk and disorderly, and others for carrying offensive weapons, robbery, obstructing police, theft, drug possession and sex offences.
A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "It has been quieter than expected in terms of incidents.
"Between midnight and 1am we took 292 calls, compared with 377 in the first hour of New Year's Day last year."
The 10-minute fireworks display began after midnight was sounded by the chimes of Big Ben.The 10-minute fireworks display began after midnight was sounded by the chimes of Big Ben.
Earlier, the crowds were played a series of video messages from celebrities including London mayor Boris Johnson, actors Michael Caine and Helen Mirren, comedian Ricky Gervais and cartoon characters Homer and Marge Simpson.Earlier, the crowds were played a series of video messages from celebrities including London mayor Boris Johnson, actors Michael Caine and Helen Mirren, comedian Ricky Gervais and cartoon characters Homer and Marge Simpson.
Manchester's display was also set to last for 10 minutes, with the fireworks set off from the top of the Arndale Centre and organisers saying they would be best viewed from Exchange Square.Manchester's display was also set to last for 10 minutes, with the fireworks set off from the top of the Arndale Centre and organisers saying they would be best viewed from Exchange Square.
In Birmingham, the firework celebrations were centred around Centenary Square.In Birmingham, the firework celebrations were centred around Centenary Square.
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London welcomes 2009 with a spectacular fireworks show over the River Thames.London welcomes 2009 with a spectacular fireworks show over the River Thames.