London Ambulance Service is mobilizing additional resources for what’s expected to be one of their busiest nights as the city prepares to welcome 2025.
The service is deploying more than 50 extra ambulances and 200 additional staff across London for New Year’s Eve celebrations. This comes as the service faces unprecedented demand, recently handling over 7,000 daily emergency calls – numbers not seen since the pandemic.
In central London’s ticketed celebration area, over 50 clinicians will work alongside St John Ambulance volunteers on foot to navigate crowded spaces. The service is also boosting staff numbers in control rooms and clinical hubs, while establishing a dedicated special operations centre to coordinate with police and Transport for London.
Last year’s New Year celebrations saw emergency calls every 11 seconds during peak hours between 2am and 3am. This year’s preparations come amid weather warnings for strong winds and rain, adding to safety concerns.
Strategic Commander Becky Owen said: “Happy New Year to Londoners and all those visiting, from all of us at London Ambulance Service. We hope everyone celebrating has a fantastic night but please take care of yourself and others – we really don’t want your night to end with you in the back of an ambulance. And if you are heading out for drinks, do take a few steps to stay safe. Have a meal before you start drinking, and try to have some soft drinks too. Make sure you know how you’re getting home, check travel arrangements and as it is forecast to be cold and wet, make sure you wrap up warmly.”
Officials are urging people to use NHS 111 online for urgent but non-emergency care, and to only call 999 for serious medical emergencies.
It comes as The Met Police are urging anyone without a ticket to avoid the centre of London once the Mayor of London’s annual fireworks display kicks off tomorrow evening. Crowds are also being asked to stay away from Primrose Hill. Each year, the park attracts thousands of people hoping to catch a glimpse of the capital’s biggest display.
However, the Camden attraction is not an official viewing spot and it is technically unlawful to hold large gatherings there. Police and stewards will be on patrol and anyone caught setting off fireworks or lanterns will face enforcement action.
People should instead head to Cannon Street, Alexandra Palace, Hampstead Heath or Parliament Hill. Southwark, Lambeth and Vauxhall Bridges also offer a great view.
The City Bridge Foundation has asked that people avoid Tower Bridge and London Bridge as you can’t see anything from them and they are not set up for a mass of people.
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