Residents and businesses in Notting Hill are taking extraordinary precautions ahead of this weekend’s carnival, with properties across west London being covered in temporary boards as fears grow over potential disorder and criminal activity.
The annual event is expected to attract around two million people to the capital, creating a huge security challenge for police, organisers, residents and businesses.
Images taken in the area show homeowners and shopkeepers protecting entrances, windows and other vulnerable parts of their properties before crowds arrive.
Businesses Take Precautions Against Potential Damage
Among the businesses preparing for the crowds is a Tesco Express on Ladbroke Road, which was fitted with temporary protective boarding ahead of the event.
Its cashpoint was also cordoned off, highlighting the concerns surrounding property security during one of London’s largest street festivals.
Several residential properties have similarly been covered with plywood and temporary fencing, while some existing boards in the neighbourhood already carry graffiti.
For residents, the preparations are intended to reduce the possibility of damage during a weekend expected to bring exceptionally large crowds into the area.
Thousands of Police and Stewards Will Be Deployed
The Metropolitan Police is preparing to deploy approximately 7,000 officers and staff during the carnival.
More than 3,000 stewards will also be working across the event, around twice the number normally used, after responsibility for crowd management was transferred from Scotland Yard to event organisers.
The change followed an additional £4.66 million in funding announced by London Mayor Sadiq Khan in March.
Despite the increased resources, concerns remain about whether the measures will be enough to manage the scale of the event safely.
Last Year’s Arrests Fuel Security Concerns
The heightened precautions follow a difficult history of crime associated with the carnival.
Two people were stabbed during last year’s event, while the 2024 carnival was overshadowed by two murders and eight stabbings.
The record number of arrests recorded last year has also contributed to anxiety among local residents and businesses, many of whom are concerned about what could happen when millions of people converge on the neighbourhood.
Conservative Assembly Leader Demands Stronger Action
Susan Hall, leader of the Conservative group at the London Assembly, said she remained concerned about the security arrangements.
She argued that taxpayers were providing substantial funding for the event without being given clear security targets.
Hall said people should be able to attend major public events safely and questioned whether that standard was being met while police resources were facing pressure.
She urged the Mayor to take decisive action to prevent further serious injuries or deaths.
Police Deploy Facial Recognition and Weapon Searches
The Metropolitan Police has outlined a wide-ranging security operation designed to identify offenders and prevent weapons from entering the carnival area.
Live facial recognition technology and automatic number plate recognition checks are being used to help locate wanted individuals before and during the event.
Officers are also targeting suspected gang members and people considered high-risk in relation to violence against women and girls.
Individuals subject to relevant bail conditions or prevention orders may also be prevented from attending, with particular attention being paid to domestic abuse suspects and sex offenders.
Knife Arches and Gang-Area Sweeps Planned
Police will conduct weapon sweeps in areas associated with gangs, while walkthrough metal detectors, commonly known as knife arches, will be deployed.
Uniformed patrols are also being increased in parks and other open spaces around the carnival.
The aim is to identify potential threats before they escalate, while maintaining a visible police presence throughout the weekend.
Hotels and Short-Stay Accommodation Under Scrutiny
Detectives are also extending their operation beyond the immediate carnival area.
Targeted checks of hotels and short-term accommodation are planned as part of efforts to identify suspected involvement in child exploitation and county lines criminal activity.
The broader operation reflects concerns that some criminal networks could use the enormous influx of visitors as cover for illegal activity.
Organisers Promise Bigger Crowd-Control Measures
Event organisers say additional safety measures will be introduced as the carnival celebrates its 60th anniversary.
Plans include a larger control room, expanded CCTV coverage and additional signs designed to warn visitors about potential congestion and delays.
The organisers will also have significantly more stewards available to help manage the movement of people through crowded areas.
Police Federation Warns Officers Are Already Stretched
While the focus is largely on public safety, police welfare is also becoming a major concern.
Paula Dodds, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, warned that officers were already under enormous pressure and said their welfare must remain a priority.
The federation, which represents around 30,000 officers across London, plans to closely monitor conditions during the carnival.
It will conduct a live survey asking officers whether they have been given enough time to rest between shifts and whether they have received adequate access to food and water.
Carnival Policing Comes With a Heavy Price
Last year’s policing operation reportedly cost around £15 million.
The Metropolitan Police hopes this year’s operation will cost less, but the force has warned that the expense remains substantial at a time when policing faces significant budgetary challenges.
The combination of a huge crowd, extensive security requirements and the need for specialist technology means the event represents a considerable operational commitment.
What Happens Next?
The carnival begins on Saturday, with millions of revellers expected to travel to west London.
Police and organisers will be watching closely for weapons, serious violence, overcrowding and other criminal activity, while residents and businesses will hope their precautions are enough to protect their properties.
The success of the security operation will also be judged against the additional public funding being provided and the concerns raised about police resources.
Summary
Notting Hill is preparing for one of London’s busiest weekends as residents and businesses board up properties ahead of a carnival expected to attract around two million people.
The Metropolitan Police will deploy about 7,000 officers and staff, supported by more than 3,000 stewards and a range of measures including facial recognition, number plate checks, weapon searches, knife arches and targeted operations against suspected offenders.
The preparations come after serious violence and record arrests at previous events.
While organisers have promised stronger crowd-control measures for the carnival’s 60th anniversary, political figures and police representatives continue to raise questions about security, funding and officer welfare.
For local residents, the boarded-up homes and businesses are a visible sign of the anxiety surrounding what should ultimately be a major celebration of culture and community.
