Smooth Beginnings for Notting Hill Bash
Hundreds of thousands of partygoers are expected for the second and final day of the Notting Hill Carnival
The carnival kicked off peacefully on Sunday with arrests below average (only 64) and were mostly drug-related. Last year’s opening day saw 108 arrests.
An excess of 200,000 people took part in Europe’s biggest street party this Sunday, but officials have predicted numbers could triple for Monday’s bash.
One spectator was fighting for his life after suffering a cardiac arrest at the carnival, London Ambulance Service said.
Authorities were also clamping down on noise levels amid fears some festival goers could suffer from hearing damage.
The 32 year old Marco Figeuredo had travelled to the cranival from Lisbon, Portugal. He explained: “I expected there to be even more people, but the music has been excellent. If it wasn’t for the weather, it would feel a little like Rio.”
A change to this year’s edition saw processions starting earlier than usual as security launched a major operation. Police were manning a string of security rings to focus on troublemakers and expel anyone in possession of guns or knives.
More than 150 individuals were advised via the post to stay away and 16 people were apprehended in the run-up to the carnival.
Carnival chief Chris Boothman added that security was at its top level after the event got its biggest budget in years due to a new sponsorship agreement. He said: “We have worked really hard with police.”
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