Police are currently testing novel crowd safety cameras to prevent overcrowding issues at the Notting Hill Carnival, while the overseeing officer extended well wishes to festivalgoers for an enjoyable weekend.
The Notting Hill Carnival is a significant event on the London schedule, expecting approximately one million attendees over Sunday and the Bank Holiday Monday.
Given the carnival’s extensive scale, a substantial police operation, led by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Alison Heydari, is essential. As part of the preparations, cameras will be deployed to monitor the crowd in real-time, allowing the identification of congested areas and enabling prompt measures to ensure the safety of those participating in the event.
Assistant Commissioner Heydari commented, “I’m extremely enthusiastic about being involved in the Notting Hill Carnival once again. It’s consistently an outstanding weekend filled with numerous attractions and experiences to relish. I’m also eagerly anticipating observing our officers in action, engaging with the public we serve while diligently ensuring safety at the event.”
She added, “I wish all attendees a fantastic time. Prioritize safety, plan your routes to and from the area, support one another, and remember that our presence is to assist you. If anything appears amiss, don’t hesitate to approach an officer.”
Efforts from the police and stewards are focused on three problematic “hotspots” where overcrowding concerns have arisen previously. The policing of the carnival will involve a total of 12,500 officer shifts.
Tragically, during the previous year’s carnival, rapper Takayo Nembhard, 21, from Bristol and expecting a child, was fatally stabbed outside Ladbroke Grove station on the event’s final evening.
Detectives have recently renewed their efforts to bring his assailant to justice and Crimestoppers has offered a reward of £20,000. In the previous year, there were 209 arrests during the carnival.
The festival, originating in 1966, features steel bands, floats, DJ performances, and various other forms of entertainment.
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