London is preparing itself for the major annual celebration of Caribbean culture with the festivities taking place this Bank Holiday weekend.
With more than one million people expected to attend, the Metropolitan Police says officers have been hard at work ahead of the significant weekend to keep people safe.
More than 100 people have been arrested, with 21 people recalled to prison.
The Met says the arrests are to disrupt and deter those who police have reason to believe pose the greatest risk to public safety at Carnival.
As part of the operation, 11 firearms have been seized along with 40 knives.
Some 266 people now either have police bail or probation licence conditions not to attend the event this year.
Emergency services at Notting Hill Carnival 2024 (Image: Joseph Reaidi) The force says these precautions were taken as a “minority” of people have caused horrific violence over the years – while the rest of attendees dance, eat and enjoy themselves.
Freedom of Information (FoI) data shows that in 2017 there were 12 stabbings, none of which fatal.
In 2018 there were seven knife attacks and the year after there were 18, again which were nonfatal.
Then in 2022, there were seven stabbings, including the death of 21-year-old Takayo Nembhard.
In 2023, there were 10 stabbings – all non-fatal.
Last year saw eight stabbings in total, including the deaths of 32-year-old mum Cher Maximen and 41-year-old chef Mussie Imnetu.
Shakeil Thibou (left) fatally stabbed Cher Maximen (right) (Image: Met Police) 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.”