SINGAPORE - Police, auxiliary police and security officers will be deployed for security, as well as crowd and traffic control, in the Marina Bay area on New Year's Eve next Thursday.

The deployment is necessary due to the large crowds and heavy traffic that are expected during the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2016, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in a news release on Thursday (Dec 24) morning.

Police officers may conduct checks on bags and personal items for security reasons. Members of the public are also encouraged to notify nearby officers if they come across any suspicious items or persons.

To prevent overcrowding, officers will be regulating the number of people entering The Promontory, One Fullerton/Merlion Park, Esplanade Park, Esplanade Waterfront Promenade, Marina Bay Sands Promenade and other areas within the vicinity of Marina Bay.

MRT trains may bypass stations which are affected by overcrowding to alleviate congestion, SPF added.

The footways along the Esplanade Bridge and Bayfront Ave along Helix Bridge are to be used for transit only; pedestrians will not be allowed to congregate on these footways.

The footway along Benjamin Sheares Bridge will be closed to pedestrians from 6pm on New Year's Eve to 1am on New Year's Day.

Traffic arrangements

Certain lanes and roads will be closed to all vehicle traffic during certain periods for the safety of spectators.

In addition, the vehicle traffic direction of the carriageway of Temasek Avenue in the direction of Bayfront Avenue (between Raffles Boulevard and Raffles Avenue) will be reversed to facilitate crowd dispersal.

SPF said auxiliary police officers will be stationed at affected road junctions to regulate traffic and assist motorists, while traffic advisory signs will also be put up.

Parking at peripheral roads and the stopping of vehicles along the East Coast Parkway on the Benjamin Sheares Bridge to watch the fireworks are also strictly prohibited.

Enforcement action will be taken against errant motorists and parked vehicles that cause obstruction will be towed, SPF warned.