Stabbings, arrests at London carnival
LONDON: There were 160 arrests at the Notting Hill Carnival yesterday, bringing the total for the festival to more than 300.
The majority of arrests were for drug offences, while dozens of knives were seized.
Officers in West London also seized a large canister of nitrous oxide, which they said had a street value of £150 000 (R2.8 million).
The London Ambulance Service treated 438 patients yesterday, with 57 taken to hospital. More than 400 had needed treatment on Sunday.
Thousands of people turned out in the capital for the final day of the two-day festival, which is Europe’s biggest street party.
Police and stewards were out in force yesterday after five stabbings on Sunday.
At 4.25pm on Sunday a 15-year-old boy was taken to hospital in a critical condition, though last night his injuries were no longer considered life-threatening. A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault. Minutes later, police were called to a reported stabbing of a 20-year-old man and at 5.09pm, two boys aged 15 and 16 were found to have been stabbed.
Another man presented himself to police, saying he had been stabbed in the head.
None of their injuries were life-threatening.
Among yesterday’s arrests were 66 for drugs, 47 for possessing an offensive weapon and two for drunken-driving.
There were also two arrests for assault, five for assault on the police and two for sexual offences. This year, the police have introduced advanced security measures, including a facial recognition system that used specialist officers to comb through CCTV footage.
The carnival hosted 60 bands and 38 sound systems as the parade made its way through West London.
Birdie Marshall, 23, from Lincoln, said: “It’s been pretty crazy. It’s an amazing atmos- phere. Everyone is in such a good mood.”
She said she had been grabbed by a stranger before police intervened, adding: “The police have been really good, I feel really sorry for them.”
Jasmin Castrioty, 25, said that she had “loved” her first visit to the carnival, adding: “The rhythm is absolutely stunning. I can actually feel it.”
Colette Ford, from Salisbury, took part in the carnival.
She said: “It’s a lovely, amazing atmosphere.” – Daily Mail