London’s Notting Hill Carnival, a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture and one of Europe’s largest street festivals, is set to return this weekend amid unprecedented security measures and a visible police presence. The Metropolitan Police announced on August 22, 2025, that 100 people have been arrested and dozens of weapons seized in the days leading up to the event, as part of what they described as “intelligence-led interventions” targeting those deemed the greatest threat to public safety.
According to BBC News, the operation resulted in the confiscation of 11 firearms and more than 40 knives. Twenty-one individuals have been recalled to prison, and 266 others are now subject to bail or probation conditions that specifically bar them from attending the Carnival. These actions, police say, are intended to disrupt and deter those who “pose the greatest risk to public safety at Carnival,” as stated by Scotland Yard.
Commander Charmain Brenyah, the Metropolitan Police’s spokesperson for the Carnival, emphasized the dual nature of the event. “We expect around one million people to be on the streets of west London for what is one of the most significant weekends in the capital’s cultural calendar. The vast majority come to have fun and enjoy themselves, to celebrate Caribbean culture, to dance, to eat and to go home with nothing but good memories,” she said, as reported by Sky News. “Regrettably we know a minority come with less positive intentions and in recent years this has played out in the form of serious violence including three tragic incidents where lives have been taken.”
The Carnival, which will run from August 24 to August 25, is expected to draw over a million attendees. This massive influx of people has prompted authorities to deploy approximately 7,000 police officers across London, supported by the City of London Police and British Transport Police. The latter will play a crucial role in ensuring safe travel for Carnival-goers, with Superintendent Dominique Ioannou stating, “It’s set to be another busy Carnival weekend and our officers and staff play a unique role in keeping people safe as they travel in and around the capital.”
Security measures this year are more advanced and visible than ever. In addition to the heavy police presence, a network of CCTV cameras, screening arches, and live facial recognition (LFR) cameras will be deployed on routes to and from the Carnival. Officers will also use stop and search powers to prevent weapons from being carried into the festivities. The Met Police commissioner defended the use of LFR technology, which captures faces in real time, as a tool to help officers locate people on watch lists. “Live facial recognition is a reliable and effective tool. It has led to more than 1,000 arrests since the start of 2024. In the same year, only 1 in more than 33,000 potential matches were proven to be inaccurate,” the Met stated in its press release.
While the majority of Carnival-goers are there to celebrate and enjoy themselves, recent years have seen a troubling rise in violence. Last year’s Carnival was marred by two deaths—Cher Maximen, 32, was murdered with a zombie knife in front of her young daughter, and chef Mussie Imnetu was also killed near the event. In total, there were four stabbings, over 103 arrests for crimes such as robbery, violence, sexual offences, drug offences, and possession of weapons, and 18 police officers were assaulted. The previous year saw 10 stabbings, and seven were reported in 2022, according to a Freedom of Information request cited by Sky News.
These incidents have fueled concerns about safety at the iconic event. Tanya Jacobs, the sister of one of last year’s victims, told reporters outside the Old Bailey, “The loss of Ms Maximen, who was stabbed in front of her daughter, had caused immeasurable sadness.” Calls for greater security and crowd management have grown louder, prompting event organizers and the Met Police to commission an independent review into crowd safety. Some recommendations have been implemented with the help of additional funding, but, as Commander Brenyah acknowledged, “despite everyone’s best efforts it’s inevitable not all the risks will have been mitigated.”
Organizers are keen to maintain the spirit of the Carnival while addressing safety concerns. Matthew Phillip, the event’s chief executive, told Sky News that organizers work closely with the police to keep attendees safe. When asked if the event could be ticketed in the future, he replied, “Carnival will never be ticketed, it cannot be ticketed. Crime actually decreased last year on the previous year.”
The policing plan this year is comprehensive. Intelligence-sharing with police forces across the UK has been used to identify violent gangs planning to attend. Pre-emptive arrests and searches have targeted individuals believed to be in possession of weapons or involved in drug supply. Banning orders have been sought for those with histories of violence or sexual offences at previous Carnivals. During the event, officers will be on hand to intervene before incidents escalate, aided by technology and real-time monitoring.
Crowd safety remains a primary concern. The Met has established a Crowd Monitoring Cell to track density and movement, and attendees are urged to follow instructions from stewards and officers. “We would also [ask] anyone attending Carnival to play their part by listening to stewards and officers if they’re asking you to go in a certain direction or to pause before carrying on down a particular road. Please also read and respect signage, adhere to barriers and other crowd safety equipment and if you feel unsafe or like an area is becoming too crowded, be sensible and move away,” Commander Brenyah advised.
Despite the challenges, the Carnival remains a cherished tradition for many Londoners and visitors from around the world. It’s a time to celebrate Caribbean heritage, music, and food, and, as police and organizers alike emphasize, most people will go home with “nothing but good memories.” The hope is that this year’s robust security measures will allow the festivities to proceed safely, ensuring that the joy and energy of Notting Hill Carnival continue to shine, even as authorities remain vigilant against threats.
With millions expected to attend and the eyes of London—and the world—watching, the balance between celebration and security will be tested once again. For those planning to join the festivities, the message is clear: enjoy the Carnival, but stay alert, follow guidance, and help keep this iconic event both safe and spectacular.
