By James Simons-
Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s biggest street party, is under way in west London as millions of visitors descend on the capital for a weekend celebrating the 60th anniversary of Caribbean culture, music and community — with police making 169 arrests but describing the overall atmosphere as “overwhelmingly positive”.
The official opening of the annual event began on Sunday- which is mainly for families and children, with the main event taking place on Monday.
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The Metropolitan Police said it has made over 169 arrests had been by 7.45pm on Sunday for offences including possession of drugs and weapons, assaults and sexual offences, as thousands of officers continued to patrol the streets around the carnival.
Despite the significant number of arrests, the force said the vast majority of people attending had been enjoying the event peacefully.
“While officers responded to a number of incidents as would be anticipated at an event of this scale, the mood has been overwhelmingly positive and celebratory,” the Metropolitan Police said.
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This year’s carnival has particular significance because it is exactly six decades since the event first emerged from the Caribbean communities of west London and grew into one of the world’s largest celebrations of Caribbean culture.
The streets of Notting Hill have once again been transformed by elaborate costumes, colourful parades, live music, dancing, street food and sound systems, with performers and revellers filling the area as the celebration continues. The carnival represents far more than a major London event.
It is a celebration of heritage, identity and the contribution of Caribbean communities to British culture, with generations of families returning year after year to take part.
However, the enormous scale of the event presents a formidable challenge for police, particularly given the history of serious violence associated with some previous carnivals.
The Metropolitan Police said it had deployed a major operation across west London, with more than 7,000 officers scheduled to work throughout the bank holiday weekend.
Facial recognition technology is also being used as part of the policing operation this year, as officers attempt to identify people wanted in connection with offences, and prevent criminality during the event.
Commander Claire Smart, who is leading the policing operation, said the number of arrests reflected the proactive approach being taken by officers but insisted that there had been a welcome reduction in serious violence compared with previous years.
“While we have seen a significant number of arrests and interventions by officers, the result of that proactive approach is a welcome reduction in the levels of serious violence seen at the event in previous years,” she said.
However, she warned that police were not taking the situation for granted.“Nobody involved in the delivery of the event is complacent, however,” Commander Smart said.
Officers remained deployed across the carnival footprint as crowds began to disperse, with police warning that the operation would continue through the night.
“There are still many officers deployed across the footprint to ensure crowds disperse safely,” Commander Smart said.
“We will have officers on duty through the night and tomorrow we will go again to ensure we can continue to tackle the minority who want to come to carnival to spoil the celebration for the majority.”
The comments underline the difficult balance facing the Metropolitan Police at an event which attracts enormous crowds while remaining a hugely important cultural celebration. The force recorded 528 arrests across the two main days of the carnival in 2025.
In 2024, the event was overshadowed by a series of violent incidents, including eight stabbings and the fatal stabbing of 32-year-old mother Cher Maximen. Her death highlighted the security challenges surrounding an event which can attract hundreds of thousands of people to a relatively concentrated area of west London.
This year’s policing operation has therefore been designed not simply to respond to incidents but to intervene early where officers believe criminality is developing.
The presence of thousands of officers is highly visible across the carnival area, with police working alongside event organisers and other emergency services to manage crowds and respond to incidents.
The overwhelming picture from the event so far has been one of celebration. The carnival’s 60th anniversary provides an opportunity for organisers and participants to reflect on its extraordinary history.
What began as a response to racial tensions and the experiences of Caribbean commnities in London has developed into a globally recognised celebration that attracts visitors from across Britain and overseas. Its roots can be traced to 1966, when the first outdoor Caribbean carnival took place in Notting Hill. The event has since become a defining part of London’s cultural calendar.
Nottingham carnival began in London in 1966
The experience encompasses everything from spectacular costumes and traditional Caribbean food to reggae, soca, calypso and other forms of music played from sound systems throughout the neighbourhood.
The costumes alone have become one of the carnival’s defining features, with participants spending months preparing elaborate designs for the parade. Music remains at its heart, with sound systems drawing large crowds and performers bringing a festival atmosphere to streets that are normally associated with residential life.
Revellers enjoy Nottingham carnival in 2026
The sheer diversity of those attending also reflects the carnival’s evolution. Although its roots are firmly embedded in London’s Caribbean communities, Notting Hill Carnival has become an event embraced by people from across Britain and around the world.
The annual gathering for visitors is an opportunity to experience Caribbean culture, while for others it is a deeply personal expression of their own heritage. The challenge for police is to protect that atmosphere while dealing with the relatively small minority who attend with criminal intent.
That distinction was emphasised by Commander Smart, who praised the behaviour of the overwhelming majority of carnival-goers while warning that officers would continue targeting those intent on causing trouble.
The 169 arrests therefore form only one part of the wider picture. As the streets continue to echo with music and crowds gather to enjoy the final stages of one of London’s biggest annual events, the Metropolitan Police is maintaining a significant presence.
Officers will remain on duty into the night before returning in force for the final day of celebrations. Notting Hill Carnival has survived six decades, changing with the city around it while retaining its Caribbean roots.
Its 60th anniversary is being marked with the same combination of music, colour, food, dance and community that has made it one of Britain’s most recognisable cultural events.
And despite the arrests and the continuing concerns over violence, police say the mood on the streets has so far been overwhelmingly positive. The carnival continues — with thousands of people determined to celebrate the culture, history and community that have made Notting Hill an enduring part of London’s identity.
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