Carnival cops are ‘used as punch bags’

POLICE officers “dread” having to work at the Notting Hill Carnival and an “unacceptable” number are being attacked at the event, a rank-andfile group leader said.

Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation Ken Marsh claimed that an increasing number of criminals want to hijack the celebration and turn officers into “professional punch bags”.

The latest figures from Scotland Yard showed that 25 people had been held for assaulting police. A total of 45 officers were injured.

Mr Marsh said: “This is not a peaceful and fun-loving event that our members look forward to policing. They dread 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.

“It’s completely and utterly unacceptable.”