Police have arrested a 40-year-old man on suspicion of dangerous driving after a car swerved towards crowds of people watching the New Year fireworks in London.
Metropolitan Police were called to the junction of Primrose Hill Road and Regent’s Park Road, in central London, at around 00.15am today following reports a car had crashed into a pedestrian.
It comes after police officers encouraged people to avoid the area on New Year’s Eve after 16-year-old Harry Pitman was fatally stabbed in the neck as crowds gathered at the viewpoint on December 31 last year.
Video footage taken at the scene today shows panicked crowds running away from Primrose Hill after the fireworks display had commenced.
People can be heard screaming and shouting as police officers gathered around the junction.
Metropolitan Police has since confirmed a 21-year-old man was hit by a vehicle. He sustained minor injuries and did not require medical treatment.
The incident is not being treated as a terror-related, Met Police added.
Video footage taken at the scene today shows panicked crowds running away from Primrose Hill after the fireworks display had commenced
Pictured: Officers from Met Police running towards the junction of Primrose Hill Road and Regent’s Park Road, following reports a car had crashed into a pedestrian
A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘At 00:13hrs on Wednesday, 1 January a vehicle was involved in a collision with a pedestrian at the junction of Regent’s Park Road and Primrose Hill Road. The driver failed to stop at the scene.
‘Officers who were in the area as part of the New Year’s Eve policing operation pursued the vehicle, stopping it a short distance away at the junction of Primrose Hill Road and King Henry’s Road.
‘The driver, a 40-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm.
‘The pedestrian who was struck, a 21-year-old man, sustained minor injuries that did not require medical treatment.
‘Initial indications are that this was not a deliberate attempt to drive at pedestrians. It is not being treated as a terrorist incident.’
It comes after tragedy struck at last year’s event, when 16-year-old Harry Pitman was stabbed to death with a hunting knife at the top of Primrose Hill as people gathered to watch fireworks.
The stabbing death of 16-year-old Harry Pitman on Primrose Hill on New Year’s Eve last year came as crowds gathered in the park to watch central London’s fireworks display
Police are seen conducting a fingertip search on Primrose Hill the day after the stabbing – now officials have drawn up a special plan for patrolling New Year’s Eve this year
A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with murder but an Old Bailey trial ended in October with a jury unable to reach a verdict. A retrial is expected to begin next October.
Local figures, as well as officials, described Harry’s death was an isolated incident, though local traders and neighbours have raised concerns about crime levels in the area.
The Royal Parks, which which runs the 62-acre Grade II listed green space rising above affluent north London streets, set up a Safety Advisory Group — including Met Police — for the New Year’s Eve gatherings last night.
It previously stressed the park is ‘not suitable for large gatherings’ and that police officers along with stewards would be in attendance to remind people the park will close at 1am on New Year’s Day.
Since last year, the park has been closed to the public from 10am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, reopening at 6am, after complaints about anti-social behaviour.
The restrictions were meant to last only during British Summertime months, yet the gates have remained in place despite the clocks changing in October – with Bonfire Night on November 5 highlighted as a particular concern.
