Major New Year’s Eve fireworks SCAM as thousands of revellers gather for fake event & cops warn crowds to go home
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A MAJOR scam saw thousands of revellers gather for a fake fireworks event on New Year's Eve - as cops warned hopefuls to go home. Crowds flocked to Birmingham city centre for the bogus display, which was expected to take place at Centenary Square. Images show locals standing shoulder to shoulder as they eagerly await the spectacle.
![[Crowds flocked to Centenary Square, Birmingham yesterday]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/thousands-people-gathered-birminghams-centenary-960805382.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Some can be seen holding up their phones to film fireworks which never went off. Officers from West Midlands Police can also be seen manning the area. But the force had already warned punters at around 2pm that the event was a fake. In a statement shared to Facebook at around 2pm, a spokesperson said: "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.
![[Locals were expecting a firework display]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/thousands-people-gathered-birminghams-centenary-960805234.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"We don’t want people travelling unnecessarily into the city centre tonight to be left disappointed after discovering the event isn’t taking place.". 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.
![[Officers from West Midlands Police were present]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/thousands-people-gathered-birminghams-centenary-960805287.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"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. "We will be visible on the streets tonight to ensure everything runs smoothly and people have a wonderful evening.".
![[The police force said it was working with the local council to ensure the celebrations were safe]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/thousands-people-gathered-birminghams-centenary-960805505.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
