The Notting Hill Carnival in west London marked its 60th anniversary over the August Bank Holiday weekend, drawing an estimated two million attendees across two days. The annual Caribbean-themed event featured vibrant costumes, steel drum bands, numerous sound systems, and a family day commencing at 6 a.m. with a children's parade and various celebrations involving paint and powder.
Security measures were significantly enhanced this year, with more than 7,000 Metropolitan Police officers and staff deployed to manage the large crowds. Organisers doubled the number of stewards to over 3,000, after responsibility for crowd control shifted from Scotland Yard to the event organisers, supported by an additional £4.66 million grant announced by London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan. The security operation also included the use of live facial recognition technology, which contributed to 29 arrests on the first day of the carnival. This represented an increase in the technology's deployment following its previous success last year, when it led to 61 arrests and the identification of 30 registered sex offenders.
The Metropolitan Police reported 169 arrests on the first day, including charges related to two knife assaults, drug possession, weapons possession, assaults, and sexual offences. Neither of the knife attacks resulted in life-threatening injuries. Temporary stop-and-search powers were granted to frontline officers without the need for suspicion, and in the lead-up to the event, police seized an array of weapons including 76 zombie knives, 40 flick knives, and a machete, which authorities said could have been used during the carnival. In coordination with Greater Manchester Police, seven individuals linked to a gang targeting music festivals and events were arrested shortly before the carnival.
Police described the overall atmosphere as “overwhelmingly positive and celebratory,” emphasizing that the vast majority of attendees enjoyed the event safely. Commander Claire Smart, who oversaw the policing operation, acknowledged a proactive policing approach that resulted in a notable reduction of serious violence compared to previous years, while also highlighting the continuous presence of officers to ensure safe dispersal of crowds.
Despite these assurances, concerns were raised about rising crime levels at the carnival. Susan Hall, leader of the Conservative group at the London Assembly, urged the mayor to take firmer control of the situation, citing record numbers of arrests last year and warning of the potential for serious injuries or fatalities if the trend continued.
Matthew Phillip, the carnival’s chief executive, defended the event’s safety record, calling it “very good” compared to other large-scale London events. He argued that the carnival should be viewed as a victim rather than a perpetrator of crime, emphasizing the distinction between the festival itself and the criminal activity surrounding it.
The cost of policing the event has increased substantially in recent years, rising from £11.7 million in 2023 to £15.7 million in 2025. Authorities continue to work closely with event organisers and local agencies to balance security concerns with maintaining the carnival’s cultural significance, which Mayor Khan described as “a cornerstone of our city’s cultural calendar” and “one of the greatest celebrations anywhere in the world.”