Met officer hails Notting Hill Carnival as ‘the very best of London’

A Met Police officer has hailed Notting Hill Carnival as “the very best of London”, but warned it poses a “difficult” policing environment due to the sheer volume of people.

Commander Charmain Brenyah said the force has been working with the official Notting Hill Carnival organisers for months, as they prepare for Europe’s largest street festival this coming weekend.

Carnival typically attracts around two million people to the streets of West London. Launched in the 1960s, it celebrates the culture and heritage of the Caribbean through music, food and entertainment.

But it also comes just weeks after Rene Graham, 15, was shot dead in front of children at a family event at the same park where many of the festivities are being held – Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park in Ladbroke Grove, North Kensington.

While the vast majority of those who attend the Carnival are there to have fun, incidents of violence have erupted during previous years, with 10 stabbings in 2023, though none fatal.

The event also comes after the recent far right disorder that gripped London and other parts of the UK, following the fatal stabbings of three children in Southport and the misinformation that fuelled anti-immigrant sentiment. It presents a unique challenge for the Met because of the open nature of the festival.

Commander Brenyah said the evenings, and Monday in particular, can give way to instances of serious and low level violence.

On what attendees can do to stay safe, she said: “I think it’s making sure you’re aware of how you’re going to get to Carnival, and from Carnival. Obviously there will be lots of officers and also stewards. The event organisers will have a number of stewards you can ask any questions.”

Around 7,000 officers are reportedly being mobilised for the event, to keep people safe. Commander Brenyah said police are working with the Safer Spaces team, providing specific aid to women and girls.

She said: “It is a fantastic event, it is absolutely brilliant.

“I think for us to be able to engage with the community, to speak to people, to experience it as police officers, it’s brilliant. It is a very challenging and significant operation as well, just because of the sheer number of people who come to Carnival. But we are coming to support it, to make sure people have a safe time.”

Matthew Phillip, chief executive at Notting Hill Carnival who has been in the role since 2018 and lives locally, said Carnival was set up “as a way of bringing people together that come from different diverse backgrounds, rather than focussing on differences”.

Mr Phillip’s history with the event goes back to when he was a kid, with his journey to Chief Executive including being involved in a steel band. Asked what he is most looking forward to this year, he said: “At the moment, in the role I’m in, it’s really about seeing people enjoying themselves, that makes me happy.”

Commander Brenyah added that, despite its difficulties, Carnival represents “the very best of London”.

Carnival this year is on August 25 and 26, with the Panorama steel pan competition on August 24. The organisers have advised people travelling in to head to either Shepherd’s Bush or Paddington stations, and to join Carnival from there. For a full schedule, visit the official website here: https://nhcarnival.org/