Calls are being made for the Notting Hill carnival to be cancelled after violence left one man dead at the event's return to the streets of London this year.
The chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation (MPF), a staff association for all Met police officers, said the carnival must not be allowed to take place again.
Millions attended the Notting Hill carnival ― the first in three years after Covid-enforced cancellations ― over the bank holiday weekend but that was counterbalanced by more than 200 arrests, 74 officers injured and one person killed, Takayo Nembhard, 21, a rapper from Bristol.
“For the last two years my colleagues have spent the August bank holiday not being assaulted in large numbers. Why not? Because the Notting Hill carnival did not take place,” said Ken Marsh, chairman of the MPF.
“But today we are having to again face the fall-out from policing the event. The tragedy is that someone has been killed.
“But also 34 of my colleagues have been hurt after coming under attack. One female officer was grabbed in a headlock and sexually assaulted.
“This is completely unacceptable. Every year we argue that this event should not take place but we are not listened to," Mr Marsh said. “There were 11,000 officers on duty across the weekend. For lots of them, this was their first experience of policing the carnival and they have been left extremely shocked by what they have seen and been subjected to.
“We are simply not listened to and those who support the carnival do not seem to care what happens to police officers. The violence my colleagues face when policing this event seems to be the price we have to pay and that is a completely unacceptable situation.”
More than two million people are estimated to have attended the carnival over three days.
The two-day carnival is renowned for its uplifting atmosphere and colourful celebration of Caribbean culture.
Sound systems took vinyl, classic and reggae music to the streets, accompanied by dancing crowds, a variety of food trucks, and vibrant costumes.
While Sunday, set aside as a family day, went fairly smoothly, carnival goers observed a far more dangerous atmosphere by Monday.
Crushing crowds, pervasive drug and alcohol use and scattered outbreaks of violence created an uneasy atmosphere for many, and the heavy police presence did little to ease that sense.
For many, it was a time to celebrate and party after Covid forced the event's cancellation in 2021 and 2020.
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Performers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in London, UK. AFP -
The Caribbean carnival is returning to the streets of Notting Hill after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Getty Images -
Carnival revellers attend the London festival. EPA -
More than a million people are expected to attend the two-day celebration of Caribbean heritage. EPA -
A reveller takes part in the Notting Hill Carnival. Reuters -
Revellers dance on top of a railway bridge during the carnival. AP -
Performers take part in the carnival in London. Reuters -
Performers take part in the carnival on the main parade day. AFP -
Performers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival. AFP -
Revellers in colourful costumes take part in the carnival. Reuters -
Performers participate in the newly returned carnival. PA -
The festival returned to the streets for the first time in two years after it was thwarted by the pandemic. PA -
A police officer attends the carnival. PA -
A woman waves from a window as performers take part in the carnival. AP -
Carnival-goers attend the popular event. PA -
The Notting Hill Carnival has returned to London for the first time in two years. PA -
The carnival was called off in 2020 and 2021 owing to coronavirus restrictions. PA -
More than a million people were expected to attend the festival. PA -
Police keep an eye on carnival-goers. PA -
The carnival paid tribute to the 72 victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster and the survivors' campaign demanding justice. Reuters -
Carnival-goers during Sunday's family day at the carnival. PA -
Carnival-goers during Sunday's family day at the carnival. PA -
The children's parade was part of the family day fun. Reuters -
Costumed children take part in the parade. Getty -
Notting Hill's streets are crowded for the return of the carnival. PA -
A young performer in the procession. Getty -
Performers on wheels. PA -
A young carnival-goer. Getty -
Performers dance during the children's parade. AP -
A participant in the children's parade. PA -
A performer on skates wows the crowds. PA -
Young performers on parade. PA -
One of the spectacular costumes in the procession. Reuters -
Musicians provide a Caribbean beat. PA -
Energetic performers in the children's parade. PA -
Performers on roller blades. AP -
Colourful costumes on show during the carnival parade. EPA -
Dancers perform at the Notting Hill Carnival. EPA -
Participants on parade through the London streets. EPA -
Children in costumes take part in the parade. EPA -
Dancers in colourful costumes perform. EPA -
The Emancipated Run Crew dressed in green to remember the 72 people who died in the Grenfell fire. PA -
The Emancipated Run Crew dressed in green to remember the 72 people who died in the Grenfell fire. PA
But Roy Ramm, a former Met commander, said the carnival also provided the chance for rival drug dealers to incite violence.
“The trouble is, these young men, and it is young men, they want to fight, mark out their territory and sell their drugs. They are determined to wreck it in the evenings. I think it is for the community to reject this.”
