Hundreds of people gathered in the freezing cold at Birmingham's Centenary Square on New Year's Eve for a major fireworks display that was entirely fictitious. The only pyrotechnics witnessed were a single rogue firework that fizzled out above the crowd and a distant, modest show behind a hotel.
Police Warnings Ignored as Crowds Answer Fake Call
Despite clear warnings from West Midlands Police two days prior, stating there would be "no official fireworks or city-organised displays" on December 31, a significant crowd still assembled. The force had specifically referenced annual rumours about large shows, which they said "often lead to confusion and disappointment," pointing to a similar non-event that attracted thousands in 2024.
On the night, officers on high-visibility patrols were tasked with informing people in the square that no spectacle was planned. The misinformation appears to have stemmed from online adverts, potentially generated by artificial intelligence (AI), which repurposed old information about past events as if they were new.
Bemused Revellers Share Their Disappointment Online
The bizarre scenes were captured and shared by disappointed attendees on social media platforms like TikTok. One user, Sherways, filmed the scene by the city's closed big wheel and wrote, "Birmingham pranked us." Another TikToker, Zhay Nab, posted footage with the caption, "we went out to watch the fireworks…but plot twist."
Some, like Sherways, saw the funny side. When accused online of being "fools" for attending, he replied: "We’re dumb bro that’s why we’re in Birmingham in first place ?"
A Real-World Headache for Emergency Services
While some found humour in the situation, the police emphasised the serious consequences of such fake news events. In their warning, they stated: "Misinformation can create real safety issues in the city. When large crowds gather for an event that doesn’t exist, it puts pressure on public transport, emergency services, and can lead to congestion in the city centre."
This incident is not isolated. In November, people were tricked by adverts for a fake Christmas market outside Buckingham Palace. The phenomenon of AI-generated or recycled online content creating false public expectations is becoming a recurring challenge for authorities nationwide, particularly in cities like Birmingham with tightened public finances.
The police concluded their message with a plea for the public to "only share accurate information from trusted sources" to prevent such potentially dangerous situations in the future.
