New Year's Eve: Clean-up operations take place across Britain after partygoers celebrate 2016

There were a total of 48 arrests in London

The clean-up begins in central London after the New Year celebration fireworks. (PA)

Clean-up operations have been in full swing after revellers enjoyed New Year’s Eve celebrations across the country.

Thousands of police watched over festivities in London as crowds gathered on the banks of the Thames to watch the capital’s annual fireworks display.

Around 3,000 officers were deployed across central London, including firearms police, at a time of heightened global security on the wake of the Paris attacks.

There were a total of 48 arrests overnight, including four for drug possession, three for carrying offensive or bladed weapons and five for assaults on police officers.

The clean-up begins in central London (PA)


 The clean-up begins in central London after the New Year celebration fireworks PA
 (PA)

Six people were also detained for public order offences, 11 for assault and one for sexual assault, the Met said.

Met spokeswoman Superintendent Jo Edwards said extra officers were deployed for reassurance and the event was "successful".

"Our officers worked alongside stewards to support their operation and help people to get in and out of the event area safely and efficiently.

"Although the celebrations have drawn to a close, officers continue to work through the night to facilitate the clean up operation and bring the area back to normality in time for the New Year's Day parade."

West Midlands Ambulance Service, which put a record number of crews on duty, said they dealt with 1,629 emergency call-outs between 8pm on New Year's Eve and 4am on New Year's Day.

A spokesman said a man aged in his late teens was resuscitated after suffering a cardiac arrest outside a nightclub in Birmingham, shortly after 1am.

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (Secamb) said it handled 1,135 calls between 10pm on New Year's Eve and 4am on New Year's Day.

Revellers head home as the clean-up begins in central London after the New Year celebration fireworks PA (PA)

The service received an average of more than three 999 calls a minute, falling just short of last year's total of 1,146.

Today, more than 8,500 performers representing 20 countries will take part in the annual New Year's Day parade through London.

The event, which includes marching bands, cheerleaders, clowns and acrobats, will begin in Piccadilly and finish in Parliament Square.