Eight people were stabbed, and hundreds were arrested during last weekend’s Notting Hill Carnival, one of the world’s largest street festivals held annually in West London.
According to an update from the Metropolitan Police on Monday, five people were stabbed on the final day of the three-day celebration of British Afro-Caribbean identity. This followed three stabbings on Sunday. Three of the victims remain in life-threatening conditions, the police reported.
Police made at least 230 arrests on Monday, including 49 for possession of an offensive weapon, in addition to numerous arrests made the previous day. During the event, three firearms were seized, and 35 officers were injured. The event, which attracts around a million people annually over the August bank holiday weekend, was heavily policed with around 7,000 officers on duty.
The number of arrests and stabbings is similar to last year’s figures, where there were 10 stabbings and approximately 300 arrests. The carnival, known for its vibrant celebration filled with color, costumes, dancing, and music, was once again overshadowed by violence.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan expressed frustration, stating he was “tired of saying the same words every year” after a woman attending the carnival with her child was among those stabbed. “We only very narrowly avoided a fatality,” he added, urging attendees to report any crimes they witness.
The Notting Hill Carnival, a celebration of British Afro-Caribbean culture, has its roots in the 1950s following the first wave of arrivals from former British colonies after World War II. Despite its cultural significance and the enjoyment it brings to many, the event continues to be marred by incidents of violence, particularly knife crime.
The vibrant yearly event features feathered dancers, steel bands, and earth-shaking sound systems, making it a highlight of the summer for many Londoners and visitors alike.
