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Striking news photos from around the UK in 2021

28 December 2021

A selection of some of the most striking photographs taken by news agency photographers around the UK this year.

A nurse communicates with colleagues via a walkie-talkie, while working in a Covid section of Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, near Falkirk.

Andrew Milligan / PA Media A nurse uses a walkie-talkie — A nurse communicates with colleagues via a walkie-talkie, while working in a Covid section of Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, near Falkirk.

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A commuter travels on the London Underground during the morning rush hour, after England's third nationwide lockdown began in January.

Victoria Jones / PA Media A commuter travelling on a deserted Jubilee Line London Underground train — A commuter travels on the London Underground during the morning rush hour, after England's third nationwide lockdown began in January.

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January also saw Storm Christoph bring heavy rain and snow to parts of the country. Many homes were flooded, such as this residence on the outskirts of Lymm in Cheshire.

Joe Giddens / PA Media Gabrielle Burns-Smith looks out from her flooded home — January also saw Storm Christoph bring heavy rain and snow to parts of the country. Many homes were flooded, such as this residence on the outskirts of Lymm in Cheshire.

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A tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore lights up Piccadilly Circus, London. The 100-year-old, who raised almost £33m for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden, died with coronavirus in February.

Aaron Chown / PA Media A woman plays the violin in Piccadilly Circus in front of a screen showing a picture of Captain Sir Tom Moore — A tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore lights up Piccadilly Circus, London. The 100-year-old, who raised almost £33m for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden, died with coronavirus in February.

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In Edinburgh, people attempt to free a car trapped in snow, as Storm Darcy caused widespread travel disruption.

Pako Mera / Shutterstock People push a car trapped in snow — In Edinburgh, people attempt to free a car trapped in snow, as Storm Darcy caused widespread travel disruption.

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Police detain a woman as crowds gather at a memorial site on Clapham Common, following the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard. Met Police officer Wayne Couzens was sentenced to a whole-life term for the murder of 33-year-old Ms Everard, whose abduction prompted a public debate over women's safety.

Hannah McKay / Reuters Police detain a woman as people gather at a memorial site — Police detain a woman as crowds gather at a memorial site on Clapham Common, following the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard. Met Police officer Wayne Couzens was sentenced to a whole-life term for the murder of 33-year-old Ms Everard, whose abduction prompted a public debate over women's safety.

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Hospice staff in Penarth, south Wales, are overcome with emotion during a national minute's silence to remember those who have died with coronavirus. The event, on 23 March, formed part of a day of reflection to mark the anniversary of the start of the UK's first lockdown.

Polly Thomas / Getty Images Staff of a Marie Curie hospice take part in a minute's silence — Hospice staff in Penarth, south Wales, are overcome with emotion during a national minute's silence to remember those who have died with coronavirus. The event, on 23 March, formed part of a day of reflection to mark the anniversary of the start of the UK's first lockdown.

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Swimmers enjoy the open-air pool at Hillingdon Lido in London, as outdoor sport facilities reopened following the easing of stay-at-home restrictions.

Leon Neal / Getty Images Swimmers with inflatables in an open-air lido — Swimmers enjoy the open-air pool at Hillingdon Lido in London, as outdoor sport facilities reopened following the easing of stay-at-home restrictions.

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A woman enjoys a drink at a pub in Falmouth, Cornwall, after England's lockdown restrictions were eased in April. Pub gardens, shops, gyms and hairdressers reopened for the first time in months, while some rules were also eased in the rest of the UK.

Hugh Hastings / Getty Images A woman drinks a pint — A woman enjoys a drink at a pub in Falmouth, Cornwall, after England's lockdown restrictions were eased in April. Pub gardens, shops, gyms and hairdressers reopened for the first time in months, while some rules were also eased in the rest of the UK.

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The gates of one of Belfast's peace walls are prised open and set alight during rioting in the city on a scale which police said had not been seen for years.

Charles McQuillan / Getty Images Youths set fire to a peace wall in Belfast — The gates of one of Belfast's peace walls are prised open and set alight during rioting in the city on a scale which police said had not been seen for years.

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On 9 April, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II's husband, at the age of 99. The Duke of Edinburgh, the longest-serving royal consort in British history, had been at the Queen's side throughout her long reign.

Ian West / Pool via Reuters A sign announcing the death of the Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is placed on the gates of Buckingham Palace — On 9 April, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II's husband, at the age of 99. The Duke of Edinburgh, the longest-serving royal consort in British history, had been at the Queen's side throughout her long reign.

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The Queen sits alone during the funeral of Prince Philip in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Coronavirus rules meant that only 30 mourners - socially distanced and wearing face masks - could attend the service.

Jonathan Brady / Pool / Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II in her seat during the funeral of Prince Philip — The Queen sits alone during the funeral of Prince Philip in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Coronavirus rules meant that only 30 mourners - socially distanced and wearing face masks - could attend the service.

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People queue as they make their way down steps to Durdle Door beach in Dorset, as summer temperatures soared across parts of the country.

Andrew Matthews / PA Media People make their way down steps to Durdle Door beach in Dorset — People queue as they make their way down steps to Durdle Door beach in Dorset, as summer temperatures soared across parts of the country.

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Artists Alex Wreckage and Joe Rush admire their sculpture of world leaders on the beach near Gwithian, ahead of June's G7 summit in Cornwall.

Ben Birchall / PA Media Artists Alex Wreckage, left, and Joe Rush, right, stand in front of their artwork Mount Trashmore, on the beach near Gwithian — Artists Alex Wreckage and Joe Rush admire their sculpture of world leaders on the beach near Gwithian, ahead of June's G7 summit in Cornwall.

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A lavender farmer inspects the crop ahead of this year's harvest at a farm in Kinross.

Jane Barlow / PA Media A lavender farmer inspects their crop — A lavender farmer inspects the crop ahead of this year's harvest at a farm in Kinross.

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An England fan reacts after July's delayed Uefa Euro 2020 Championship final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium. High hopes and nerves gave way to fear and sorrow as England lost on penalties during their first major international final in 55 years.

Chloe Knott / Getty Images An England fan puts his hand on his head outside Wembley Stadium — An England fan reacts after July's delayed Uefa Euro 2020 Championship final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium. High hopes and nerves gave way to fear and sorrow as England lost on penalties during their first major international final in 55 years.

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A conservator abseils down the east face of Salisbury Cathedral's tower to carry out vital repairs during the annual survey.

Andrew Matthews / PA Media A conservator abseils down the east face of Salisbury Cathedral's Tower — A conservator abseils down the east face of Salisbury Cathedral's tower to carry out vital repairs during the annual survey.

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A student from Core's City Academy in Birmingham celebrates his GCSE results in August, as disruption to exams continued for a second year because of the pandemic.

Jacob King / PA Media A student celebrates after opening his GCSE results — A student from Core's City Academy in Birmingham celebrates his GCSE results in August, as disruption to exams continued for a second year because of the pandemic.

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A woman wearing clothing made from dried flowers attends the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. The event was delayed until September from its usual spring dates because of lockdown restrictions.

Toby Melville / Reuters A woman wearing clothing made from dried flowers — A woman wearing clothing made from dried flowers attends the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. The event was delayed until September from its usual spring dates because of lockdown restrictions.

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Cars queue at a petrol station in Northwich, Cheshire, amid an HGV driver shortage that disrupted fuel deliveries to many forecourts across the UK.

Christopher Furlong / Getty Images An aerial view of cars queuing for fuel — Cars queue at a petrol station in Northwich, Cheshire, amid an HGV driver shortage that disrupted fuel deliveries to many forecourts across the UK.

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People light candles in memory of Sir David Amess at Belfairs Sports Ground in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. A 25-year-old man was charged with murder and the preparation of terrorist acts, after the Conservative MP was stabbed to death in October during a constituency surgery.

Hollie Adams / Getty Images People light candles in memory of MP Sir David Amess — People light candles in memory of Sir David Amess at Belfairs Sports Ground in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. A 25-year-old man was charged with murder and the preparation of terrorist acts, after the Conservative MP was stabbed to death in October during a constituency surgery.

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A member of the Minga Indigena indigenous delegation attends the COP26 UN Climate Summit in Glasgow. The two-week conference saw world leaders meet to discuss the global response to climate change.

Christopher Furlong / Getty Images A member of the Minga Indigena indigenous delegation — A member of the Minga Indigena indigenous delegation attends the COP26 UN Climate Summit in Glasgow. The two-week conference saw world leaders meet to discuss the global response to climate change.

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A migrant carries her children after being helped ashore from a Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboat at a beach in Dungeness, on England's south-east in November. On the same day, at least 27 people died making the same crossing between France and England, the biggest loss of life by drowning in the Channel in many years.

Ben Stansall / AFP A migrant carries her children (with faces blurred) after being helped ashore from a Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboat — A migrant carries her children after being helped ashore from a Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboat at a beach in Dungeness, on England's south-east in November. On the same day, at least 27 people died making the same crossing between France and England, the biggest loss of life by drowning in the Channel in many years.

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A health worker carries a tray of vaccines at a vaccination centre in Cardiff, amid a national booster programme to help tackle the new Omicron variant of coronavirus.

Matthew Horwood / Getty Images A health worker carries a tray of vaccines — A health worker carries a tray of vaccines at a vaccination centre in Cardiff, amid a national booster programme to help tackle the new Omicron variant of coronavirus.

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Circus performers put on make-up ahead of a photocall for the Winter Wonderland event in Newcastle.

Lee Smith / Reuters Circus performers put on make-up — Circus performers put on make-up ahead of a photocall for the Winter Wonderland event in Newcastle.

All photographs subject to copyright.