High security for US New Year celebrations

The United States was seeing in the New Year amid unprecedented security in the face of a heightened terrorist threat.

Nearly a million revellers were expected to pack into New York’s Times Square despite warnings from a Congressman that it was a “tempting target” for an attack.

Air exclusion zones have been put in place over parts of New York, Washington and Chicago.

Flights are also banned over Las Vegas, which security chiefs fear has been targeted by terrorists.

The New Year comes as the United States is on “orange alert” against the threat of attack.

Security chiefs decided to raise the threat level on December 21 in response to intelligence about planned attacks.

As millions of Americans see in the New Year, military helicopters were patrolling the skies of New York alongside every police helicopter in city’s fleet.

More officers were on patrol in the city than last year, with hotels, landmarks and ferry terminals under special guard.

Revellers were having to pass through metal detectors to get into Times Square.

Sniffer dogs were mixing with crowds, manhole covers were sealed shut in Times Square, and post boxes, rubbish bins and newspaper dispensers were removed.

Elite counter-terror teams were on standby with equipment to detect chemical, biological or radiological contamination.

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city was well-protected.

“Sadly, terrorism is something that we have to live with,” he said.

“We live in a dangerous world, and we’re trying to make sure that if we’re making a mistake, it’s on the side of being overly cautious.”

The reassurance was not enough for Republican Congressman Christopher Shays who said he would avoid Times Square.

Mr Shays, who chairs a House subcommittee that deals with terror issues, described the gathering as a “tempting target”.

“I wouldn’t go to Times Square. That is my opinion. It is one based on the reality that the government has declared a Code Orange,” he told the New York Post.

Helicopters were also being deployed above the Las Vegas Strip after the location was mentioned in terrorist “chatter”, according to intelligence sources.

Around 300,000 people were predicted to be gathering in the area to welcome in 2004.

“These aircraft are equipped to dismantle or disrupt any kind of ground attack and also other aircraft that would attempt to fly into our airspace,” said Las Vegas Sheriff Bill Young.

FBI and other federal agents have been sweeping the Las Vegas area for weapons or threats, said Ellen Knowlton, FBI special agent in charge in Las Vegas.

Snipers were posted on Las Vegas hotel-casino roofs, and streets were blocked off with concrete barriers.

Virtually the entire Las Vegas police force was on duty.

Security was also tight in California’s Rose Parade, where thousands of people gather along the five and a half-mile route.

On New Year’s Day surveillance cameras will watch people as they line the streets to get into the Rose Bowl to watch the traditional American Football match.

Flights over the Rose Bowl will be limited to police and military aircraft, and everyone working in the stadium is required to wear a photo ID.

“I think the level of security this time around within the United States is absolutely unprecedented,” Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge told CBS.

He added: “I don’t think there’s a city that has done more and sustained a higher level of security and protection than New York City.”

Despite the fears and high security in all American cities, there were no specific threats to any events, officials said.