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A 999 call every seven seconds as emergency services battle to cope
Neil Millard02.01.09
VIOLENCE marred New Year celebrations in London as ambulance staff struggled to cope with a surge in emergency calls on what proved to be their second busiest night since the turn of the millennium.
The ambulance service answered calls at a rate of one every seven seconds and 110 people were arrested across the capital.
But most celebrations were peaceful with an estimated 700,000 people on the streets for the midnight fireworks. Transport chiefs said there were only minor delays on the Tube network.
The ambulance service blamed excessive drinking for a "chaotic" night. It dealt with 1,761 calls between midnight and 4am yesterday - most alcohol related - and staff in its control room had to be doubled. There were 1,825 calls in the same period on the previous New Year's Eve, with only the millennium celebrations recording more - 2,233.
Staff sought to minimise the impact of such a high volume of calls by treating many in special "booze buses". Spokesman Alistair Drummond said: "People should not be drinking so much that they wake up in hospital."
A 20-year-old man had hospital treatment for a three-inch gash on the back of his head after being hit with a bottle in a Camden bar early yesterday. Police are seeking witnesses. In Woolwich, a man was stabbed in the head with a bottle and in Westminster another was left unconscious with head injuries during a disturbance at a bar, where three men were arrested.
In nearby Edgware Road, police were called when up to seven men began fighting with bottles. No arrests were made.
In Loughton, Essex, two men were arrested for attempted murder after a 47-year-old man was stabbed in the eye and back during a brawl at a social club, where there were 600 rowdy revellers.
In total 110 people were arrested on the night, the alleged crimes including 18 assaults, 39 public order offences and one allegation of sexual assault.
Some 3,300 officers were needed to police the show - which included a 200ft image of London Mayor Boris Johnson delivering a New Year message from the side of a South Bank office block and culminated in a 12-minute fireworks display at the London Eye.
Among the crowds, Colombian students Yadica Guerreo, 26, and Johana Sosa, 21, said being there was a "dream come true". Joelle Peeters, 43, and her son Tom, 12, had travelled from Brussels. She said: "I love the fireworks. We spent the last two New Years in Paris but this was far better."
Superintendent Brian Pearce said: "The nature of New Year's Eve in central London has changed. What used to be a relatively low-key, spontaneous night is now a world-class event."
Reader views (6)
hi i think people have the right to get drunk and have fun on new year but the bar staff should be more strict,like if they go in drunk you should not serve them, and i agree to the comment before becasue bars and pubs make money over these dates they should help fund the services and activities going on.
- Jake W, rugeley-uk
Why are people in pubs still served when they are obviously already drunk? The bar staff must take the blame for this. Also, any 999 call relating to a a drink fuelled incident should incur a charge to the person responsible for the injury. And pigs might fly!
- J. Green, Bromley, England
Looks like the New year celebrations showcased quite nicely the violent, drunken society the UK has become.
If Supt Pearce thinks that is "world class" then we're lucky to have him, aren't we?
- Peter Dempsey, Greenwich, London
As new years eve is becoming a major benefit financially to the booze industry with many pubs charging a admission fee and brewers charging premium prices,would it not make sense that the booze industry pay something back to the exchequer from the vast profits thay have made from this event.In the spirit of new year goodwill of course.Maybe thay could in future fund the fire work display,or even pay the wages of the emergency services.
- Kev, London-UK
For certain indentified alcohol related injuries, charge for the services provided !
- Brian Hughes, wales
I hope that this article is sent to Linda Lusardi as a reminder that although we are all horrified that she was running late for her panto job; nuisance calls like hers are the last thing that an already overstretched emergency services needs.
- Casper Slides, France at the moment
