Notting Hill Carnival: Thousands party in Europe’s biggest street festival | UK News

Tens of thousands of people packed the streets of west London to mark the return of the Notting Hill Carnival to mark its 55th year.

What was started 55 years ago by Caribbean immigrants celebrating their roots is now the largest carnival of its type in Europe and the second in the world.

Attendees also paid tribute to the 72 people who were killed in the Grenfell Tower fire with a 72-second silence which began at 3pm.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan shared colourful pictures from the first day of the event, saying: This is London. An amazing day!

‘The culture and creativity of Carnival shines through once again this year. Thank you to everyone working around the clock to keep Carnival a safe and spectacular celebration.’

The party atmosphere kicked off early and the Metropolitan Police confirmed that it was ‘largely good natured and positive’.

Thousands of officers were deployed across the area, with groups seen arriving in National Express coaches early in the day.

The force said the event ended without any ‘major incident’, and as of 9.30pm last night there had been 85 arrests.

11 people were arrested for sexual assault, 10 for an assault on an officer, one for robbery, two for criminal damage and 25 for possession of an offensive weapon.

Others were also detained for grievous bodily harm, common assault and drugs.

A Section 60 order, providing officers with additional search powers, was brought in shortly after 6pm in an effort to prevent violence.

The Met said the decision was taken after a number of arrests for possession of offensive weapons.

Deputy assistant commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is leading the operation, said the arrests were ‘broadly consistent’ with what the force would expect at this stage of a Carnival weekend.

He added: ‘Preparations for Carnival began many months in advance and I am grateful not only to the many thousands of officers who are deployed over the weekend but to the partners and community representatives we work closely with.

‘As ever we saw very large crowds who made their way from across London and beyond.

‘The atmosphere was largely good natured and positive with the overwhelming majority of people having an enjoyable and safe experience.

‘Regrettably there will always be some who use the opportunity to commit offences.

‘Carnival should be a safe environment for all and I am saddened that we have seen 11 arrests for sexual assault.’ 

The Met is working closely with Safer Spaces, an organisation that operates at events across the UK, to provide areas where women and girls can go to seek advice from trained professionals and where appropriate, police officers.

Some 654 people made use of the service during the day on Sunday, the force said.

Mr Adelekan added: ‘I am also disappointed that 10 of the arrests are for assaults on officers who are working diligently to keep everyone safe.

‘It is unacceptable that they should be the target of abuse or assaults and we will provide those affected with the necessary support.

‘Our policing operation continues as we move into Bank Holiday Monday and we will once again have officers deployed across the local area throughout what we expect to be a busy day with significant numbers of people attending.’

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