Carnival carnage
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POLICE chiefs are demanding changes to the Notting Hill Carnival after it turned into a “bank holiday battleground”.
Around a million people attended the two-day street party, which saw four revellers stabbed and attacks on the police.
More than 450 people were nicked by 9,000 officers – the highest number of arrests at the event for 15 years.
Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh said behaviour at the carnival was “unacceptable”.
He added: “This event cannot carry on regardless. I think many Londoners will wonder whether the significant amount of taxpayers’ money spent on policing this event is frankly worth it.
“A seemingly growing number of people appear intent on hijacking this carnival and turning it into a bank holiday battleground, and an excuse for using our members as professional punch bags.
“Last year we had an officer stabbed. This year colleagues were assaulted, abused and spat at.
“How can that be right? It’s completely and utterly unacceptable.”
Injured partygoers also swamped the London Ambulance Service, with medics treating more than 1,000 people and taking 170 of them to hospital.
Commander Dave Musker, who was in charge of policing the carnival, said he was proud of his officers.
He said: “Once again they demonstrated their unwavering professionalism and bravery to ensure this spectacular celebration that headlines the London event calendar was not spoilt by a small minority wishing to use the carnival as a cover for committing crime.”
Singer Lily Allen was also caught up in the chaos after she was spotted being carried from the carnival by her rumoured boyfriend, rapper MC Meridian Dan, after drinking cider.
She later tweeted: “Truth is I’m just a lightweight, I had two cans of Strongbow on an empty stomach.”