As Notting Hill Carnival draws near, police officers and local authorities are bracing themselves for one of the busiest and potentially most dangerous weekends on London’s streets.
With crowds of up to two million expected, officers worry about everything from violent assaults to the risk of a deadly crowd crush.
Officers Face Real Risks in Crowded Streets
This year, some 7,000 Metropolitan Police officers and staff will patrol the packed streets of west London.
Yet officers remain concerned about being isolated in dense crowds, where even being just six feet from a colleague can leave them unseen and vulnerable.
Simon Hill, Deputy General Secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation, says that fear is compounded for female officers, who may face sexual assault in situations they cannot physically escape.
Video from previous years shows how dangerous crowd density can become.
“It’s physically possible to lift your feet and be carried with the crowd,” Hill explained, highlighting the helplessness officers can feel in certain areas, unable to protect themselves or the public.
Violent Incidents in Previous Years
Assaults on police have been alarmingly high. In 2024 alone, 61 officers were attacked over just two days.
Physical assaults ranged from being kicked and punched to spitting, headbutts, and even bottles thrown at officers.
Arrest totals for that year hit 349—the highest since 2019.
These incidents come alongside tragic events, including stabbings of festival-goers in previous years, which underline the ongoing challenges faced by the Met.
Residents and Businesses Prepare for the Weekend
Local residents and business owners are boarding up properties along the carnival route to protect against damage.
Officers have also raised concerns about hazards in the streets, such as uneven surfaces, kerbs, and drains, which can exacerbate injuries during a crush.
Some have suggested relocating the festival to a park with ticketed entry to better manage crowds, though Hill acknowledges the importance of keeping the event in Notting Hill for its historical and cultural significance.
Safety Measures and Technology
To enhance safety, live facial recognition (LFR) cameras will monitor entrances and exits, helping police identify wanted individuals, missing persons, and those under sexual harm prevention orders.
While some civil liberty groups have criticized the technology for potential inaccuracies and racial bias, police maintain it adds an “additional layer of safety.”
Other measures include stop-and-search powers, screening arches at key entry points, pre-emptive arrests for weapon possession or drug offences, and coordination with youth initiatives like Idris Elba’s Elba Hope Foundation to reduce knife crime.
Balancing Policing and Community Engagement
Officers are prohibited from dancing with revellers—a policy meant to ensure focus on public safety.
Hill explained that dancing could compromise vigilance and distract officers from responding to threats, while engaging with the crowd risks public criticism either way.
The Met emphasizes that officers are there to protect, not party.
Carnival Organisers Respond
Notting Hill Carnival Limited stresses its commitment to safety and collaboration with the Met.
Operational improvements include more trained stewards, expanded CCTV coverage, enhanced parade coordination, faster response times, and upgraded crowd management infrastructure.
Organisers argue that crime statistics are proportionally low compared with other large events and that the carnival contributes around £400 million annually to the local economy.
Ongoing Concerns and Officer Experiences
Despite precautions, officers report feeling unsafe.
A survey last December revealed nearly 90% of respondents had felt unsafe at the carnival, with 29% assaulted during duty.
Descriptions ranged from “Hell” and “war zone” to feeling like “lambs to slaughter.”
Yet organisers counter that some survey claims relied on unverified quotes and lacked solid data.
A Festival With Cultural Significance
Notting Hill Carnival remains a cornerstone of London’s cultural calendar, celebrating Caribbean heritage, arts, and music.
Amid concerns over crowd safety and violence, organisers and authorities alike aim to strike a balance between preserving its vibrancy and ensuring the safety of millions of revellers and the officers tasked with protecting them.
