Police arrest 15 people during New Year's Eve celebrations in London

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Rebecca Speare-Cole1 January 2020
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Fifteen people were arrested during the New Year's Eve celebrations in central London, according to police.

As of 2am, at least 15 people had been held by officers specially deployed during the festivities.

Some arrests were made for violent crimes, while one related to an alleged sex attack.

It comes as thousands of people lined the banks of the River Thames to watch the spectacular fireworks display in front of the London Eye as the clock struck midnight.

More than 100,000 tickets were snapped up for the sold-out event and people were packed into the streets around Victoria Embankment to welcome the new decade.

Security check revellers as they arrive to celebrate New Year in central London on December 31
AFP via Getty Images

Three arrests were made for drunk and disorderly behaviour and two for an assault on police.

Two more people were also held for firework offences and a further two for possession of drugs.

One person was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault while another was held for possessing a lock knife.

Revellers gather on the banks of the River Thames preparing to ring in the New Year
Getty Images

Further arrests included one for affray, another for a racially-aggravated public order offence, one for handling stolen goods and a final arrest made for absconding from police custody.

Police said those who were arrested have been taken to central London police stations were they all currently remain in custody as enquiries continue.

Fireworks light up the sky over the London Eye in central London during the New Year celebrations.
PA

The force has dealt with much higher numbers of arrests at the annual event in previous years.

As the city welcomed 2017, the force made 35 arrests, while in 2015 more than 90 people were held, according to reports.

During this year's event, pyrotechnics featured more than 12,000 fireworks with the display set to a soundtrack “inspired by London and Europe” as the capital prepares to host several Euro 2020 games.

The soundtrack featured music from Stormzy, Wiley and Bastille.

Big Ben chimed the start of the display and the new decade by ringing 12 times, despite them being silent this year while renovation work is completed.

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