The safety of London's Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's largest street festival, has come under scrutiny following recent incidents. Matt Twist, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has expressed concerns about the event's security, citing a "too high" level of serious crime.
This year's carnival, which took place from August 24-26, 2024, saw two fatalities, making it the deadliest in over two decades. The event, which began in 1966 as a response to racial tensions, now attracts over 2 million visitors annually, celebrating Caribbean culture and traditions.
Twist highlighted several factors contributing to the policing challenges, including insufficient stewards and larger crowds. The carnival, which features colorful parades, live music, and Caribbean food along its 3.5-mile route, saw eight stabbings and 334 arrests during the bank holiday weekend. Most arrests were for weapon possession and drug offenses, while 50 officers sustained injuries.
The Assistant Commissioner suggested that changing the event's location could be one of many potential solutions to enhance safety. He emphasized the need for clear roles and responsibilities among all partners involved in organizing the carnival.
"At the moment, I cannot say it's safe. I think everybody agrees that the level of serious crime is too high. We need to work with the organizers and all those with statutory and partnership responsibilities to consider what more collectively we can do to increase safety."
One of the tragic incidents involved Cher Maximen, 38, who was fatally stabbed on August 25, 2024, while attempting to break up a fight. In another incident, Mussie Imnetu, a 41-year-old Swedish chef, was found unconscious by police on August 26, 2024.
Twist revealed that around 1,200 officers were assigned to "entirely stewarding roles," which he deemed an inappropriate use of police resources. In February 2024, he had requested the organizers to replace these officers with stewards better equipped to handle crowd safety, but this change was not implemented.
The carnival, which generates an estimated £93 million for the London economy, relies on over 40,000 volunteers to organize and run the event. However, this year saw approximately 70 fewer stewards available to guide the massive crowds.
As discussions continue on improving the carnival's safety, it's worth noting that the event has faced similar challenges in the past. It was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its 2016 50th anniversary celebration prompted reflections on its history and impact.
Moving forward, finding a balance between maintaining the carnival's cultural significance and ensuring public safety remains a priority for London authorities and event organizers.