Sydney kicks off 2025 with its acclaimed annual fireworks display

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The Sydney fireworks were watched by an estimated one million people gathered along the harbour foreshore and at various vantage points across the city. While revellers were well behaved for the most part, NSW Police made a number of arrests.

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00:00Last night's festivities saw the City of Sydney's largest ever fireworks display, with pyrotechnics

00:07launching from 16 different locations across the harbour.

00:11Authorities estimate around 1 million people watched the show across the city and along

00:15the foreshore, while international viewing numbers reached up to 400 million.

00:20But it wasn't all good news for the harbour city.

00:2236 people were arrested in and around the CBD for charges ranging from assault to the

00:27possession of knives.

00:29Meanwhile in Coogee, a teenage boy was arrested for spitting on a police officer, while in

00:33Guildford a 17-year-old boy was stabbed during an illegal fireworks display.

00:37For the most part, however, Police Commissioner Karen Webb commended the behaviour of spectators

00:42and party-goers alike, saying last night's outcome was a vast improvement on years prior.

00:47We mounted a big operation on New Year's Eve, concluded about 2am this morning, and we're

00:52pleased to report that the crowd was generally well behaved.

00:58First in the CBD we made 36 arrests, those people will be before the court across Sydney.

01:05In the New Year's operation we made 49 arrests, but generally very pleased with the way the

01:11operation came together.

01:13We worked well with obviously the other agencies and that people were able to come into the

01:17city, enjoy their night and get home safely.

01:20The Lord Mayor says events such as New Year's Eve take around 18 months to prepare, meaning

01:24that organisers are already well on their way to something bigger and better this time

01:28next year.

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