Thousands of people flocked into Birmingham city centre for a New Year’s Eve fireworks spectacular that turned out to be a hoax.
Large crowds gathered at the city’s Centenary Square to welcome in 2025 after false reports of a display spread on social media, only to be told by police there was nothing laid on.
The scam came as people gathered in cities across Britain to welcome in the New Year, despite a number of planned events being cancelled over weather warnings.
Thousands were photographed in Birmingham waiting for the promised fireworks display to start, as police and officials explained there was no such event planned.
When the clock struck midnight, scores of people cheered and one person let off a firework.
It remains unclear who was behind the rumours. Birmingham has not held an official fireworks display for a decade.
West Midlands Police had issued warnings about the hoax earlier in the day, and said in a statement: “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 said: “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.”
The weather forced outdoor celebrations in Edinburgh and other places across the UK to be cancelled, but London’s annual display went ahead in clear skies.
After Big Ben marked the start of the new year, the 11-minute display began with the message “Your New Year Is Unwritten”.
The display ended with a message from Paddington Bear that “anyone can fit in” in London, before a version of Auld Lang Syne by Boney M.
