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Thousands of people say they were 'scammed’ after being lured to watch a New Years Eve fireworks display that never happened.
As millions around the world gathered to countdown to midnight and marvel at spectacular fireworks displays to usher in the arrival of 2025, thousands in Birmingham city centre had their night of celebrations snatched away.
According to British media reports, scammers on social media lured thousands of people to Centenary Square last night under the guise of fireworks, only for police officers to turn crowds away after midnight.
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Footage shows hundreds had turned out for a display that never happened (@ARTCommentry/Twitter)
Photographs show dozens of revellers wrapped up warm and ready for the show to start before West Midlands Police announced there would be nothing to see and they had fallen victim to fake news.
Posts on social media, reportedly driven by artificial intelligence, gave the impression that a huge display was planned just after midnight in the city centre.
The police had issued warnings earlier that day to address the rumors but were outnumbered by a swarm of people on the night.
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When the clock struck midnight, some people reportedly cheered and one lone firework was let off in the crowd, but no organised display went ahead.
Birmingham has not held an official fireworks display for the past decade.
West Midlands Police said in a statement online: „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.
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„Thousands of revellers will be coming into Birmingham to enjoy the celebrations at bars and venues across the city and that’s why we will have a large visible presence in the city to ensure celebrations go smoothly.”
Birmingham Superintendent, Emlyn Richards, added: „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.
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„We will be visible on the streets tonight to ensure everything runs smoothly and people have a wonderful evening.”
London’s fireworks are watched by millions on the BBC (Athanasios Gioumpasis/Getty Images)
Although dozens of Brummies were sent home disappointed, crowds across the UK basked in countless organized events and millions were left stunned by London’s infamous animations that lit up the River Thames.
The display also featured a first-ever Paddington Bear cameo appearance in the London Eye as well as other British icons and nods to special events that took place over the course of 2024.
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Elsewhere, however, the stormy weather forced some major cities and venues to cancel, including Edinburgh, Blackpool, Newcastle, Ripon in North Yorkshire, and the Isle of Wight.