Security stepped up for New Year

Security, which was stepped up over the Christmas weekend will, will remain high for the New Year celebrations, Interior Minister Gérard Collomb has announced.

A total 56,000 police officers, 36,000 gendarmes and 7,000 soldiers will be deployed across France to ensure New Year's Eve passes peacefully. They will be joined by 39,800 firefighters and bomb disposal officers, Mr Collomb said in a statement.

An estimated 300,000 people are expected to gather in the Champs-Elysées alone for Sunday evening's New Year party, while millions more will be taking part in events up and down the country.

Mr Collomb said that security forces would be most obvious at major events and on public transport systems.

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