London is preparing for the return of Notting Hill Carnival, with more than one million people expected to attend the annual celebration of Caribbean culture this Bank Holiday weekend.
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed a large-scale operation is underway to ensure safety, following a series of violent incidents at previous Carnivals.
Pre-event arrests and seizures
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100+ arrests have already been made in the run-up to the festivities.
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21 people have been recalled to prison.
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11 firearms and 40 knives have been seized.
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266 people are now subject to police bail or probation licence conditions preventing them from attending Carnival this year.
Police say the proactive measures are designed to “disrupt and deter those who pose the greatest risk to public safety.”
History of violence at Carnival
While the vast majority attend to enjoy food, music, and dance, the event has also seen violent incidents in recent years:
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2017: 12 stabbings (none fatal)
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2018: 7 knife attacks (non-fatal)
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2019: 18 knife attacks (non-fatal)
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2022: 7 stabbings, including the fatal attack on Takayo Nembhard, 21
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2023: 10 non-fatal stabbings
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2024: 8 stabbings, including the deaths of Cher Maximen, 32, and Mussie Imnetu, 41
Last year, Shakeil Thibou was convicted of fatally stabbing mother-of-two Cher Maximen.
Police reassurance
Commander Charmain Brenyah, the Met’s spokesperson for Carnival, said:
“The vast majority come to have fun and enjoy themselves, to celebrate Caribbean culture, to dance, to eat and to go home with nothing but good memories.
Regrettably we know a minority come with less positive intentions and in recent years this has played out in the form of serious violence, including three tragic incidents where lives have been taken.
The actions of this minority are totally at odds with the values of those who care passionately about Carnival, and we acknowledge those, including the event organisers, who have stood up to condemn violence and serious criminality in the run-up to this weekend.”
Community celebration
Despite the challenges, organisers and community leaders say Carnival remains a powerful celebration of Caribbean heritage and identity — a cultural highlight that unites Londoners and visitors alike.
