Police have confirmed 528 arrests were made during Notting Hill Carnival this year, with serious violence down compared to previous years.
There were 200 arrests on Sunday and 328 on Monday, with 61 people identified through live facial recognition. Officers also responded to four reports of stabbings or slashings, none of which were life-threatening.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward, the policing commander for this year’s event, said: “Once again the growing size and popularity of Notting Hill Carnival required one of the biggest mobilisations of police officers this year, with over 7,000 officers deployed on each of the two days.
“Our policing operation was focused on keeping people safe by targeting those who were coming to Carnival to cause harm to others, so the reduction in incidents of serious violence compared to previous years is very welcome.”
Police said the use of live facial recognition was particularly effective, helping to identify almost 100 people of interest over the two days.
Two officers required hospital treatment after assaults, while most other injuries were not serious.
Ward added that delivering Carnival “takes a real partnership effort” and that further work is needed to address crowd safety. A review into the issue is due in October.
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