Call that a peaceful Carnival?
Police call for Notting Hill parade to be banned after 31 officers are attacked
THE Notting Hill Carnival was branded a disgrace last night after it was revealed that 31 police officers were attacked during the twoday event.
They were slashed with broken bottles, spat at, bitten and had acid thrown at them.
In one of the worst confrontations, three PCs had bloody spit sprayed in their faces by a man claiming to be HIV positive. Frontline police said ‘enough is enough’ and called for organisers to help safeguard those who dedicate their lives protecting others.
Four people were stabbed, more than 300 arrested and dozens of weapons seized during Europe’s biggest street carnival.
Although there were fewer arrests than last year’s record 454, a three-week crackdown had seen hundreds banned from attending.
Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation representing the capital’s 32,000 rank-and-file officers, said at least 31 officers were attacked.
‘We cannot carry on like this. It is a disgrace,’ he said. ‘My brave colleagues were attacked for just doing their job.
‘This is not acceptable. What other event would be allowed to carry on regardless with so many police colleagues under attack?’
There is a growing lobby calling for the carnival to be moved to Hyde Park and made ticket-only to deter opportunist criminals. Changes were first proposed in 2000 when two men were murdered. In 2008 there was a riot.
The Met threw a ring of steel around this year’s parade. Senior officers were concerned that feuding street gangs could hijack the event, spurred by simmering anger over the Grenfell Tower disaster.
They were also concerned that the huge crowds could be targeted