Met appeals for public's help to tackle further violence at Carnival

The Met is urging anyone with information that could prevent further violence at Notting Hill Carnival to come forward.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is in charge of the policing operation, said: “Yesterday we saw the first day of Carnival marred by unacceptable violence. Three people were stabbed and we only very narrowly avoided a fatality.

“This was supposed to be ‘family day’ – a celebration suitable for all ages. One of those in hospital, a 32-year-old woman whose condition remains critical, was at Carnival with her young child.

“We are tired of saying the same words every year. We are tired of telling families that their loved ones are seriously injured, or worse. We are tired of seeing crime scenes at Carnival.

“Carnival is a community event and the vast majority of people come to celebrate, to dance, to enjoy music and have a fantastic experience.

“It is the responsibility of all who value this event, who want to see it as the celebration it should be, to speak out and speak up about the violence that continues to overshadow it.

“Whether it is information about a previous incident now under investigation, or information about someone coming to Carnival today to commit crime, please tell us.

“If you know anything that could help us, please call the police directly or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously. It is no exaggeration to say that you could save a life by doing so.”

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101, to message @MetCC on X or to call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Further information:

The 32-year-old woman who was stabbed yesterday remains in a critical condition in hospital. A 29-year-old man who was also stabbed remains in hospital in a non-life threatening condition and a second man, aged 24, who was stabbed and whose condition was assessed as non-life threatening, has discharged himself from hospital.

The investigations into all three incidents are ongoing. At this early stage there have been no arrests in relation to them.

There were a total of 103 arrests on Sunday at Carnival. 18 officers were assaulted.

A breakdown of the arrests is below:

2 x violence with injury

5 x other violence

5 x robbery

15 x assaults on police

4 x sexual offences

18 x possession of offensive weapons

2 x theft from person

6 x drug possession (other)

9 x class A drug possession

13 x class B drug possession

4 x possession of nitrous oxide

9 x other offences

1 x public order

8 x possession with intent to supply drugs