All leave has been cancelled for the gun-carrying officers in the capital in the largest ever mobilisation by Scotland Yard which will see 6,000 police officers deployed on the streets.
The Telegraph reports the move comes following an intelligence warning that Islamists may be planning a high profile attack on a European city, although there is no evidence to suggest London is being specifically targeted.
The warning comes following the terrorist attack in Paris in November which 130 people killed in the city by roving gunmen.
Other European cities have reacted to the intelligence with varying degrees of severity – Moscow’s Red Square will be closed to the public tonight while fireworks and festivities in Brussels have been cancelled.
Despite the threat, London Mayor Boris Johnson urged revellers to keep calm and carry on with their plans for tonight.
He said: "It’s business as usual.
“From our fantastic fireworks on the banks of the Thames to thousands of events in pubs, clubs and restaurants across the city I’d urge Londoners and visitors alike to get out there and soak up the best we have to offer.
"As with any other major event in the capital our policing response will be appropriate, but I’d stress we’ve seen nothing to suggest a specific threat to London.”
“I’ve no doubt people will be out there enjoying themselves in their hundreds of thousands. And so they should be."
