The multitude Notting Hill Carnival ended surveillance of this Monday thousands of agents from London’s Metropolitan Police (Met), which has recorded incidents of “unacceptable violence” by the stabbing three people.
The popular event, attended by hundreds of thousands of people each year, ended on Sunday with its opening day, dedicated to children, with three stab woundsamong them that of a 32 year old woman who had come with his young son and who is in “critical situation”.
The other two stabbed were men, aged 29 and 24, the Met confirmed, with officers having so far arrested 103 people at this year’s carnival for offences including assaulting emergency workers, assault, possession with intent to supply, sexual offences and robbery. The Met also reported that 18 of its agents have been attacked to date.
“Hundreds of thousands of people gathered at Notting Hill Carnival to enjoy a fantastic celebration and our officers are on duty, working to keep them safe as part of a carefully planned policing operation,” the force said in a statement.
Police added that “unfortunately, a minority have resorted to committing crimes and engaging in violence.”
The force’s deputy commissioner for surveillance operations, Ade Adelekan, today regretted the “unacceptable violence that littered the first day” and said officers “narrowly avoided death” in reference to the three stabbings.
“Yesterday was supposed to be a day dedicated to family, a celebration appropriate for all ages. We are tired of saying the same words every year. We are tired of telling families that their injured loved ones were seriously injured or worse. “We are tired of seeing crime scenes at the carnival.”said.
A 32-year-old woman who was stabbed yesterday at Carnival remains in critical condition in hospital.
We appeal to anyone with information about further violence that may be taking place today to come forward.
Below is a message from DAC Ade Adelekan. pic.twitter.com/u8XiIwXA4c
– Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 26, 2024
This year, the Met opened a thread on its X account where it provides information and instructions on how to act in the event of incidents.
Among its messages, the police invite carnival visitors to “if they have information that could help prevent incidents before they happen” to contact the police or the Crimestoppers organisation anonymously.
Police officers stand guard during the Notting Hill Carnival parade in London.
Reuters
Celebrating Caribbean Culture
In addition to these violent episodes, among some of the participants in the celebrations, the Scotsman Jo stressed in statements to EFE the importance of “celebrating culture and diversity, and where we come from”, while another of the citizens present today in Notting Hill, Christopher, said that he has been coming for three decades and that he has no intention of stopping.
“I come to have a good time, I like the different nationalities, that everyone is together… I have a good time; I’ve been coming for probably 30 years and I’m not going to stop. I like the different types of music, the different people,” he noted.
Sabrina (another visitor) also highlighted to EFE the good general atmosphere that exists: “I find it incredible, the vibration, the energy, the love” and added that although “there are people who do not want to be part of the fun (referring to the violent incidents), the majority love it.
Several participants in the Notting Hill Carnival.
Reuters
Since 1996, and with the exception of the pandemic break from 2019 to 2021, The event celebrates Caribbean culture, 76 years after the war, the first immigrants from the Caribbean began to arrive in this country.
This call”Windrush Generation“left a strong mark on the United Kingdom when, at the end of the Second World War, the country asked its colonies to help it rebuild after the damage caused by Nazi bombing, in exchange for work and a new life.
