A man in his twenties died on Monday after entering a canal while fleeing police officers during the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. The incident occurred at approximately 3:19 p.m. near Harrow Road, as officers attempted to stop the man, who was approaching the event. The reason for the police attempt to stop him has not been disclosed.
Following the pursuit on foot, the man jumped into the Grand Union Canal in the vicinity of Meanwhile Gardens. Police officers and members of the public entered the water to rescue him and pulled him out. Emergency personnel immediately administered CPR at the scene before paramedics continued treatment and transported him to a central London hospital. Despite these efforts, he was pronounced dead at 4:43 p.m.
The fatality occurred during the second day of the carnival, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and attracts around two million visitors. London Mayor Sadiq Khan described the event as “bigger, bolder and more vibrant than ever.” He emphasized the carnival’s ongoing importance to London's cultural landscape.
Police reported making 243 arrests on Sunday, the family day of the carnival, and an additional 315 arrests by 8:30 p.m. Monday, bringing the total across the two days to nearly 560—an increase from 528 arrests recorded in 2025. The offenses involved a wide range of activities, including possession of drugs and weapons, sexual offenses, and assaults on emergency workers. Among the 62 weapons seized were a handgun, zombie knives, flick knives, and a machete. On Sunday, two knife attacks were reported, resulting in injuries to a leg and a hand; police stated neither injury was life-threatening or life-changing.
Despite the arrests and the recent death, Scotland Yard described the carnival as “overwhelmingly positive and celebratory.” Organizers asserted that the event remained safe and dismissed criticisms as unfair.
The Metropolitan Police deployed over 7,000 officers—their largest operation of the year—to manage the increased crowds during the adults’ day on Monday. Security measures included walk-through metal detectors and the use of facial recognition technology, which helped identify 77 individuals arrested during the event. This technology also enabled officers to stop 69 registered sex offenders to verify compliance with licence conditions, resulting in six arrests for breaches.
Police were granted additional stop-and-search powers under a Section 60 order, allowing officers to search people and vehicles within a designated area without reasonable suspicion. Ahead of the carnival, bail conditions barred more than 330 individuals from attending. A joint operation with Greater Manchester Police led to seven arrests linked to suspected robbery planning.
Financially, the carnival contributes an estimated £400 million to London’s economy. The Metropolitan Police’s operation for the event cost £15.7 million in 2025, up from £11.7 million in 2023. City Hall provided an additional £4.6 million to enhance stewarding and CCTV coverage. The number of stewards deployed was approximately 3,500, double that of previous years, reflecting efforts to bolster safety and security throughout the festival.