The Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s largest street festival and a vibrant celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture, kicks off this weekend in West London amid an unprecedented security operation by the Metropolitan Police. With more than one million revelers expected to fill the city’s streets from August 23 to 25, authorities are working overtime to ensure the event remains safe after recent years saw a troubling rise in violence—including two murders at last year’s festivities.
In the days leading up to the 2025 carnival, police arrested more than 100 individuals in a sweeping crackdown designed to disrupt and deter those deemed most likely to threaten public safety. According to the Daily Mail, 21 people were recalled to prison during this operation, and officers seized 11 guns and more than 40 knives. The Metropolitan Police stated that these efforts specifically targeted individuals with a history of violence or those already under surveillance, hoping to send a clear message that criminal behavior would not be tolerated at the event.
“We hope that this police activity will be a significant deterrent for those who otherwise might have been planning to come and engage in violence and other criminality,” said Commander Charmain Brenyah, the Met’s spokesperson for the carnival, as quoted by The Irish Times. She added, “The actions of this minority are totally at odds with the values of those who care passionately about Carnival and we acknowledge those, including the event organisers, who have stood up to condemn violence and serious criminality in the run up to this weekend.”
The carnival, which has been running annually since the 1960s, is a cornerstone of British multicultural life. It brings together communities from all walks of life to enjoy music, dance, and Caribbean cuisine. But the joyous spirit has, in recent years, been overshadowed by a spate of violent incidents. Last year, the event was marred by the deaths of Cher Maximen, a 32-year-old mother killed in front of her three-year-old daughter, and Mussie Imnetu, a 41-year-old chef who was beaten to death outside a restaurant. The BBC reported that Shakeil Thibou was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 29 years for Maximen’s murder, while Omar Wilson received a life sentence with a minimum of 18 years for killing Imnetu.
These tragedies are not isolated. In 2022, Bristol rapper Takayo Nembhard was also fatally stabbed at the carnival, highlighting a worrying trend. Freedom of Information data cited by MyLondon reveals a fluctuating but persistent pattern of knife attacks: 12 stabbings in 2017 (none fatal), 7 in 2018, 18 in 2019 (all nonfatal), 7 in 2022 (including Nembhard’s death), 10 in 2023 (all nonfatal), and 8 in 2024, two of which were fatal. The Metropolitan Police are keenly aware of this history, and their preemptive actions reflect a determination to prevent further bloodshed.
Alongside the arrests, approximately 266 people have been issued with police bail or probation license conditions explicitly barring them from attending the carnival this year. The Daily Mail noted that intelligence has been shared nationally to identify violent gangs, and banning orders have been sought for those with a history of violence or sexual offenses. These measures, authorities say, are vital for protecting the vast majority of attendees who simply want to celebrate and have fun.
But it’s not just the threat of violence that has police and city officials on edge. Crowd safety remains a pressing concern, especially after last year’s event saw 61 officers assaulted over two days—kicked, punched, pushed, spat at, headbutted, and even struck with glass bottles. In 2024, police made 349 arrests, the highest total since 2019. Simon Hill, Deputy General Secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation, told the Daily Mail that the two biggest worries for officers are being assaulted and the risk of crowd crush. “Officers are concerned about the crowd density. It is physically possible to be six feet away from a colleague and for you to not be seen or to not see them. Officers are very much isolated due to density. In those isolated moments, then really they are at the mercy of the crowd—if you have people in there intent on causing harm to officers,” he explained. Hill expressed particular concern for female officers, noting reports of sexual assault during the event.
To counter these risks, the Met has deployed a staggering 7,000 officers and staff to patrol the carnival. New security measures include the use of live facial recognition (LFR) technology, which will scan faces in real-time at entry points and around the event’s boundaries in an effort to identify known troublemakers. The technology, though supported by the police as “reliable and effective,” is not without controversy. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has warned that the Met’s rules and safeguards for LFR “fall short” and could have a “chilling effect” on individual rights, especially among minority communities who fear the software may be biased.
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley attempted to reassure the public, stating that the technology would be used “without bias” and emphasizing its effectiveness in keeping Londoners safe. The Met claims LFR has only a one in 33,000 error rate and has led to more than 1,000 arrests since its introduction in early 2024, according to The Irish Times.
Physical security will also be ramped up with screening arches at the busiest entry points, where officers will employ stop-and-search powers to keep weapons out. Local businesses and residents are taking their own precautions, boarding up storefronts and properties along the carnival route to minimize the risk of damage. As shown in images published by the Daily Mail, even iconic pubs and supermarkets have joined the precautionary effort, a visual reminder of both the festival’s scale and the community’s wariness.
Despite the heavy police presence and heightened security, organizers and law enforcement alike hope the carnival can reclaim its reputation as a joyful, peaceful celebration. Commander Brenyah emphasized, “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. 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.”
As the festivities begin, all eyes will be on West London. Will the new security measures prove effective, or will the carnival’s exuberance again be overshadowed by violence? For now, the city waits—hopeful that the spirit of unity and celebration will prevail over fear and tragedy.
