This weekend, west London transforms into a vibrant, bustling festival ground as the Notting Hill Carnival draws crowds of up to two million people.
But this year, for the first time, police will deploy drones over the event in an effort to enhance safety and monitor the huge influx of attendees.
Massive Police Presence and High-Tech Screening
Organisers report that around 7,000 officers and support staff will be on-site throughout the three-day celebration.
Security measures include facial recognition cameras and screening arches at key entrances to detect weapons, aiming to prevent dangerous situations before they escalate.
Authorities say the sheer size and density of the crowd could pose serious risks, warning of the potential for a “mass casualty event” if safety precautions fail.
Tragic History Fuels Calls for Change
The family of Cher Maximen, a young mother tragically stabbed on the carnival’s family day last year, have labelled the event “unmanageable.”
Maximen, 32, was attacked in front of her three-year-old daughter during an unprovoked street fight and later died in hospital.
Her cousin, Lawrence Hoo, told Sky News that incidents like this could easily happen again.
“She was in the safest location possible on family day with her daughter and she was murdered directly in front of police officers,” he said.
“If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere. In all honesty, it’s an unmanageable event.”
Rising Violence and Preventive Actions
In recent years, the carnival has seen increasing levels of violence, partially attributed to overcrowding and insufficient stewarding.
Ahead of this year’s event, the Metropolitan Police have already arrested 100 people and seized dozens of weapons in targeted operations aimed at those posing the greatest public safety risk.
The drones, operated by a dedicated team from British Transport Police, are part of a broader effort to ensure safety and quickly respond to incidents.
Controversy Over Facial Recognition Technology
The use of facial recognition cameras has sparked debate.
Eleven civil liberty and campaign groups have raised concerns about racial bias and called for the technology to be scrapped.
In response, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley defended the measure, emphasizing that only a small minority of carnivalgoers have used the event to commit serious crimes.
Organisers Reassure Attendees
Amid calls to relocate the carnival to a safer venue, Matthew Phillip, the event’s chief executive, urged the public to respect the festival.
“We’ve put a lot of measures in place, as we always do, but even more so this year, to keep people safe,” he said.
“Carnival is a safe space. It’s no more unsafe than the rest of London. So I would say come and be respectful.”
