The final day of this year’s Notting Hill carnival in London drew tens of thousands of revellers, celebrating with colourful costumes, music, and dancing. More than 1 million people were expected to attend the festival. Despite the festive atmosphere, the celebrations were marred by violent incidents including stabbings and the use of a corrosive substance. The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, described the carnival as an integral part of the city’s culture.
The Metropolitan police reported that five people were stabbed on Monday and three on Sunday, with two individuals in a life-threatening condition. Additionally, a 32-year-old woman attending with her child was among those stabbed. There were 230 arrests on Monday, with 49 for possession of offensive weapons and three firearms seized. Police also used metal-detecting knife arches and a helicopter for surveillance.
The Met police federation expressed disappointment at the violence overshadowing the carnival, which is meant to be a celebration for all ages. Officials emphasized the importance of speaking up about incidents and providing information to prevent crime at future events. Despite the incidents, the majority of festival-goers were there to enjoy music, dance, and have a positive experience. The Met police have detailed historical data on stabbings at the carnival, with a range of incidents reported each year. Additional search powers were in place for this year’s event to address safety concerns and criminal activity.
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