By Eric King
Notting Hill Carnival 2017 was on heavy police guard on its first day, after 800 arrests in which guns and knives were seized in a strong crackdown by British police.
At the time of writing, jst after 8pm after its official closing time, the British police told the eye of media.com that there had been about 15 arrests for drunking disorder, public order offences, common assault, and possession of cannabis. Over 8,000 police officers were put on patrol to monitor the London carnival on its first day which is traditionally set up for families. There have been up to 600 arrests in the lead up to this year’s carnival, as cops mounted a serious crackdown on drug related criminals and gangsters feared to be planning reprisals against rivals at the annual event.
Others concerns by police included the potential for angry survivors and well wishers of the Greenfell fire demonstrating their anger in full force at this year’s carnival. Around midafternoon, shortly after 3pm, the jubilating crowd observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Greenfell fire in which at least 80 people needlessly lost their lives. Music and activity in the carnival was halted as revellers movingly fell silent to remember the dead in a tragedy that gripped the nation and made world news.
The memory of the horrifying event was relived as crowds of people solemly remembered the poor victims, many of whom would have been present at the carnival. Those in attendance were also asked to lower the volume of music as they walk pass the scene of the fire , and walk respectfully when they get close to the scene. People raised their hands in the air in reverence for the victims, and as firefighters lined up together in a silent respect for the dead, members of the public could be seen embracing many of them. as the crowd applauded. The spirit at the carnival is visibly warm , and police are using facial recognition to seek out trouble makers and those wnated by the police. Some people at the carnival see this as raial profilng, but suh a judgment is simply a skeptical and negative view to adopt. All those in attendance want a safe environment, and criminals, no matter their colour, should be stopped in their tracks.
I attended the carnival with five friends- two of them from the eye of media.com-and had to eventually sit in a my friend’s car parked a distance from the event towards the closingto write this article hurriedly, and send to our admin guy for publication. Watching the kids in their custumes during the children’s the dancing crowds, and the varied music and dancing, revealed just how much londoners love to have fun and celebrate. The crowds at this gathering came from all over the country, with some visitors arriving from abroad for the event. Food like rice and jerk chickem was also sold at a number of points in the carnival. Polie officers at the event were generally friendly and up for a friendly chat with revellers.
Sunday was really just a warm up to the main event on bank holiday Monday, when more people are expected to attend. Weather gorecasters expect the sun to shine gloriouly tomorrow at around 28 degrees, making for a final brilliant day to close the annual event.