LONDON’S NOTTING Hill carnival, Europe’s biggest, passed off peacefully yesterday, and although hundreds of thousands of people thronged the streets, fewer than 200 arrests were made over the festival’s two days.
Fears had been high in some quarters that the carnival would prompt a new wave of looting in the city, following the disturbances earlier this month that saw buildings burnt down, shops destroyed and the city’s international reputation dealt a severe blow.
Last night organisers said the weekend’s festivities were the best to be held for years and had allowed Londoners, in the words of one organiser, Chris Bootham, to “reclaim the streets” for peaceful celebration.
The estimated numbers attending the carnival yesterday and Sunday vary, with some putting the figure at 600,000 and others at more than a million, though police insisted that the event finish at 6.30pm, ninety minutes earlier than usual.
Up to 6,000 Metropolitan Police officers were on duty for the carnival in the West London district, which has been the scene of trouble in the past.
Last night the police said the arrests had been for a number of relatively minor offences, such as possession of drugs, breaches of public orderand assault, though one man was in a serious condition last night after a stabbing.
It was evident that police officers were adopting tougher tactics when dealing with crowds. They could be seen yesterday and on Sunday rushing in to snatch suspected troublemakers away.
Using Section 60 powers, the police can stop and search individuals – something that irked some young people yesterday, while other sections of the public order legislation give them power to force people to take off hoodies, or any other clothing concealing identity.
Police commander Steve Rodhouse said the Met had increased the numbers of officers on duty yesterday by a thousand because the Bank Holiday Monday chapter of the carnival is the day trouble is most likely to break out.
“Traditionally, Sunday is children’s day. Thousands of people came out in Notting Hill to take part in this vibrant event, which is so important in the capital’s calendar. Through effective stop-and-search, we believe we have deterred and prevented trouble from taking place,” he said.
However, he denied that stop-and-search powers, which are bitterly resented by young blacks, were used randomly.
“We will make sure that our officers are out stopping the right people so everyone else can take part and join in the fun.”
Given the criticism that it had received for failing to quell this month’s looting earlier than it di, the Met had 4,000 officers on call outside Notting Hill in case rapid reinforcements were needed urgently, said Cmdr Rodhouse.
Some argued last night that the event was never going to be the focus of trouble because so many involved in the looting earlier this month have been jailed or are being held on remand.
