New Year 2017: Fireworks displays signal global celebrations

THE skies above many of the world’s major cities were lit up with fireworks for the traditional celebrations which welcome in the new year and see out the old.

But heightened security was a feature at every venue, with thousands of extra police and security personnel drafted in to ensure the safety of revellers.

London, Madrid, Paris, Brussels and New York were just some of the cities to take extra precautions following the terrorist attack on a Christmas market in the German capital, Berlin.

Armoured cars formed part of a perimeter of steel around the area of the Brandenburg Gate, the site of Berlin’s traditionally large new year celebrations.

Although extra officers were on duty in Istanbul in Turkey they could not prevent a gunman launching an attack on a nightclub in the city leaving at least 39 dead.

In London, armed officers were also on patrol on the Underground network.

The first world city to bring in the new year was Auckland in New Zealand.

In France, around 500,000 people converged on the Champ-Elysees to see in 2017.

In Madrid’s central square, Puerta del Sol, heavy vehicles were used to enhance security while hundreds of extra police were drafted in.

Extra personnel will also be in the Spanish capital for the traditional Three Kings Parades which take place on 5 January.