IN PICTURES: Armed Police On Patrol As London Rings In 2016

London has rung in 2016 amidst increased security and a heavy, armed police presence in the Westminster area where hundreds of thousands of revellers traditionally gather for the iconic fireworks over the River Thames, Palace of Westminster, Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) and the London Eye.

This year’s celebrations have been marred by the increased terrorist threat across the continent following the Paris attacks, San Bernardino attack, and hundreds of raids across Paris, Brussels, and the United Kingdom.

All 2,000 of London’s firearms officers were on duty in the nation’s capital this evening. Although firearms officers have had leave cancelled for special events before, such as the Olympics, this is the first time such precautions have been taken for New Year’s Eve.

PICTURES:

A police officer walks past a sign informing the public after television coverage of the New Year’s Eve fireworks in London on December 31, 2015. British police said they would deploy more armed officers than usual on the streets of London for New Year’s Eve, as the terror threat level remains at ‘severe’ meaning an attack is ‘highly likely’. (Getty)

Armed police in London (Getty)

Armed police officer patrol with Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) in the background ahead of the New Year’s Eve fireworks in London on December 31, 2015. British police said they would deploy more armed officers than usual on the streets of London for New Year’s Eve, as the terror threat level remains at ‘severe’ meaning an attack is ‘highly likely’.

Armed and unarmed police officers patrol ahead of the fireworks on December 31, 2015 in London, England. Thousands of people have bought tickets to stand on the banks of the River Thames near Parliament to celebrate the start of 2016. Getty

Police officers patrol ahead of the fireworks on December 31, 2015 in London, England. Thousands of people have bought tickets to stand on the banks of the River Thames near Parliament to celebrate the start of 2016. (Getty)

Armed police officers patrol ahead of the fireworks on December 31, 2015 in London, England. Thousands of people have bought tickets to stand on the banks of the River Thames near Parliament to celebrate the start of 2016. (Getty)

Big Ben, the London Eye and the Shell Building (R) are lit up blue in aid of Unicef on December 31, 2015 in London, England. Thousands of people have bought tickets to stand on the banks of the River Thames near Parliament to celebrate the start of 2016. (Getty)

The London Eye and the Shell Building (R) are lit up blue in aid of Unicef on December 31, 2015 in London, England. Thousands of people have bought tickets to stand on the banks of the River Thames near Parliament to celebrate the start of 2016 (Getty)

Fireworks light up the London skyline and Big Ben just after midnight on January 01, 2016 in London, England. Thousands of people have bought tickets to stand on the banks of the River Thames near Parliament to celebrate the start of 2016. (Getty)