PULSE POINTS
WHAT HAPPENED: London’s Metropolitan Police made at least 140 arrests on the first day of the annual Notting Hill Carnival, for crimes including assaults on officers, sexual offences, drug dealing, robbery, and possession of weapons.
WHO WAS INVOLVED: Metropolitan Police officers, Carnival attendees, and people on criminal watch lists.
WHEN & WHERE: The arrests occurred on Sunday during the Notting Hill Carnival’s “family day” in London, England.
KEY QUOTE: The family of Cher Maximen, murdered at last year’s Carnival violence in front of her young daughter, described it as an “unimaginable event” and suggested it should be moved to a park.
IMPACT: Arrests were up by 40 percent compared to last year’s first day, despite pre-emptive measures and the use of facial recognition technology.
IN FULL
London’s Metropolitan Police reported 140 arrests on the first day of the Notting Hill Carnival, held on Sunday. The arrests involved offenses such as assaults on police officers, sexual crimes, drug dealing, robbery, and weapon possession. Arrests are up 40 percent compared to the 104 arrests recorded on the first day of the previous year’s Carnival, despite preemptive arrests, the use of facial recognition technology, and other measures designed to tamp down lawlessness.
The Notting Hill Carnival, a multi-day street festival celebrating Afro-Caribbean culture since 1966, draws approximately one million visitors each year. However, it has faced growing scrutiny due to its endemic violence. Calls to relocate or cancel the event have intensified following incidents like the murders of chef Mussie Imnetu and mother Cher Maximen at last year’s Carnival.
Police data from Sunday detailed 15 arrests for assaults on officers, including one officer hospitalized, 21 for possessing offensive weapons, 25 for cannabis possession, 19 for intent to supply drugs, and four for sexual offenses. While police leaders often defend the Carnival festival, the Met’s rank and file members are known to despise it, with the police union-like Metropolitan Police Federation long calling for its cancellation.
In a proactive move, the Metropolitan Police arrested over 100 high-risk individuals before the Carnival started this year. Additionally, 21 people were recalled to prison, and 266 others were barred from attending through bail or probation orders.
The family of Cher Maximen, fatally stabbed in front of her daughter at last year’s Carnival, proposed moving the event to a park to curb violence.
Image by Adrian Scottow.
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