Right to police carnival

RAPPER turned activist Stormzy has criticised police raids in the runup to the Notting Hill Carnival, comparing this to the very different policing of the Glastonbury Festival.

As a retired Met officer, I know raids are not simply about restricting the supply of drugs, but are designed to disrupt street gangs.

The police fear a gang fight involving knives and/or firearms would trigger panic among the crowds in the confined streets. Add to this the threat of terrorism and acid attacks.

How would Stormzy and other activists police the carnival? Presumably there would be no precarnival raids, no stop and search, no dispersal areas or orders banning individuals, no CCTV and a dramatically reduced police presence.

The result? A happy, relaxed carnival free from ‘ racist’ police interference — or carnage?

CHRIS HOBBS, London W7.