Police arrested 169 people on the first day of this year’s Notting Hill Carnival, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed, amid assurances from officers and organisers that the event remained largely celebratory.
Scope of policing operation
The Met said the arrests — tallied by 7.45pm on Sunday — were for a range of offences including possession of drugs, possession of weapons, assaults and sexual offences. The force has deployed more than 7,000 officers across west London over the long weekend to police Europe’s biggest street festival.
While officers attended a number of incidents “as would be anticipated at an event of this scale”, the Met said the overall atmosphere was positive.
“While we have seen a significant number of arrests and interventions by officers, the result of that proactive approach is a welcome reduction in the levels of serious violence seen at the event in previous years.”
Commander Claire Smart, who leads the policing operation, said the force had worked closely with Notting Hill Carnival Ltd and other partners in the build-up to the weekend and commended organisers’ role in crowd management. She warned that policing would continue through the night and that officers would be on duty again the following day to manage dispersal and tackle those intent on causing trouble.
Incidents and injuries
Within the carnival perimeter, officers responded to two knife assaults. Both involved slashing injuries — one to the leg and one to the hand — that the Met said did not result in life-changing or life-threatening harm. The majority of arrests were made inside the event footprint.
- Total arrests: 169 (as of 7.45pm Sunday)
- Deployed officers: more than 7,000 over the bank holiday weekend
- Noted incidents: two knife assaults, various arrests for drugs, weapons, assault and sexual offences
| Metric | Figures / Notes |
|---|---|
| Total arrests | 169 (to 7.45pm Sunday) |
| Officers deployed | More than 7,000 |
| Serious incidents | Two knife assaults; other offences include drug and weapons possession, assaults, sexual offences |
Context and policing approach
The Met framed the arrests as the outcome of a proactive policing strategy intended to reduce the levels of serious violence seen at past carnivals. Officials stressed that the presence of officers and partnerships with the event’s organisers had contributed to the overall peaceful nature of much of the day.
Day two of the carnival is scheduled for Monday. Officers said they will remain deployed across the event footprint to manage crowds and ensure public safety as attendees leave the area.
For those planning to attend, the Met’s comments underline the continued emphasis on visible policing and crowd management, while also signalling that people involved in criminal behaviour will be actively pursued.
Reporting from London.
