Notting Hill Carnival 2024 UPDATES: Huge crowds after 90 arrested and mum, 32, critical after stabbing in front of kid
A SENIOR Metropolitan Police officer has said he is "tired of saying the same words every year" after a woman attending the Notting Hill Carnival with her child was stabbed.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is in charge of the policing operation for the event, said his officers "very narrowly avoided a fatality" and are "tired of seeing crime scenes" at the street party.
One million people are expected to attend the carnival, which marks the 56th year it has been running, and comes amid a summer of rioting across the UK.
The force said on Sunday it was aware of three stabbings at the annual west London celebrations, with a 29-year-old man in hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and a 24-year-old man also stabbed whose condition had yet to be confirmed.
Fifteen officers were assaulted, although none were seriously injured, and 90 arrests had been made on Sunday, police said.
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Travelling to the carnival? Here’s what you need to know
Nearby stations that will remain open throughout the event include Paddington (serving the Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City, District, Circle, and Elizabeth lines) and Shepherd’s Bush (serving the Central line and Overground).
Stations with Service Disruptions:
- Ladbroke Grove: Closed all day.
- Westbourne Park: No entry from 11:00.
- Latimer Road: Closes at 23:30.
- Notting Hill Gate: No entry from 11:00 to 18:00. District and Circle lines will not stop, and no interchange between the Central Line and District/Circle lines all day.
- Holland Park: No entry from 11:00 to 15:00.
Royal Oak: No entry from 11:00 to 18:00; station closes at 18:00.
London Mayor praises Notting Hill revellers
Sadiq Khan says the carnival is an “amazing way to bring communities together”.
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “Fantastic scenes at Notting Hill Carnival today celebrating London’s Caribbean communities.”
Fantastic scenes at Notting Hill Carnival today celebrating London’s Caribbean communities 🦚
Carnival is part of the very fabric of our city and an amazing way to bring communities together. — Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon)Police appeal to Notting Hill revellers
A senior Metropolitan Police officer has appealed for anyone with information about crime at the Notting Hill to contact police.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is in charge of the policing operation for the event, said his officers "very narrowly avoided a fatality" after a woman was stabbed and said they are "tired of seeing crime scenes" at the street party.
He added: "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."
The annual celebration of Caribbean heritage, arts and culture has been running for more than 50 years.
Heading to the carnival? There’s an app for that …
You can sign up with your email to be the first to access the official 2024 Notting Hill Carnival Map.
Its digital map lets you easily find:
* Sound Systems
* Live Stages
* Cultural Sites
* Safer Spaces
* Toilets
The organisers have marked every sound system, stage, and cultural site with precise pins, so you never miss a beat.
Its map works offline, making sure you can navigate Carnival seamlessly, even in areas with limited connectivity.
Access the map .
Craig David wows fans in Notting Hill
Singer Craig David surprised Notting Hill Carnival attendees with an impromptu street performance yesterday.
The 43-year-old star joined the festivities when he stumbled upon a vibrant sound system.
“My inner child took over and I in that moment I knew exactly the assignment,” he captioned the video.
When 7 Days meets Taxi Riddim 👀🎶😮💨 As soon as I heard that sound system my inner child took over & in that moment I knew exactly the assignment🔥🎤❤️🇯🇲🔊 🔊 — Craig David (@CraigDavid)
Message of unity ‘never more important’
In 1959, Trinidadian activist Claudia Jones organised a Caribbean carnival in London in response to race riots, planting the seeds for what today is one of the world’s largest street parties.
Revellers in Notting Hill on Monday said Jones’ message of unity had never been more important.
‘Heavy’ police presence at Notting Hill today
A heavy police presence is in operation at the second day of Notting Hill Carnival after three people were stabbed on Sunday.
Credit: GETTY What’s happening at Notting Hill Carnival today?
Today is Adult’s Day at the Notting Hill Carnival, promising another day of vibrant celebrations.
The adult parade will kick off at 10am on Great Western Road.
Soundsystems will start at midday and keep the energy high until about 7pm.
The main stage will transform into the Strawberries & Creams stage at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, adding to the day’s festivities.
What’s happening today?
Today is Adult’s Day at the Notting Hill Carnival, promising another day of vibrant celebrations.
The adult parade kicked off at 10am on Great Western Road.
Soundsystems started at midday and will keep the energy high until around 7 pm.
Elsewhere, the main stage will transform into the Strawberries & Creams stage at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, adding to the day’s festivities.
In pictures - the latest from the carnival as police make more arrests and metal detectors installed
Security has been stepped up on the second day of the carnival after a series of stabbings and arrests yesterday.
Metal detectors are among the increased security (see picture below).
Credit: ALAMY 
Credit: ALAMY 
Message of unity 'never more important'
In 1959, Trinidadian activist Claudia Jones organised a Caribbean carnival in London in response to race riots, planting the seeds for what today is one of the world's largest street parties.
Revellers in Notting Hill on Monday said Jones' message of unity had never been more important.
Heading to the carnival? There’s an app for that …
You can sign up with your email to be the first to access the official 2024 Notting Hill Carnival Map.
Its digital map lets you easily find:
* Sound Systems
* Live Stages
* Cultural Sites
* Safer Spaces
* Toilets
The organisers have marked every sound system, stage, and cultural site with precise pins, so you never miss a beat.
Its map works offline, making sure you can navigate Carnival seamlessly, even in areas with limited connectivity.
Access the map .
What’s happening at Notting Hill Carnival today?
Today is Adult’s Day at the Notting Hill Carnival, promising another day of vibrant celebrations.
The adult parade will kick off at 10am on Great Western Road.
Soundsystems will start at midday and keep the energy high until about 7pm.
The main stage will transform into the Strawberries & Creams stage at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, adding to the day’s festivities.
In pictures - carnival celebrations
More pictures have started to arrive from the main parade today. Here is a selection:
Credit: ALAMY 
Credit: GETTY 
Credit: REUTERS Police head to carnival
Officers are pictured marching past Westbourne Park Underground station heading for the Notting Hill Carnival today.
Credit: GETTY
'Party vibes' in Notting Hill today
The main parade is held today, which is described by organisers as the climax of the carnival with "party vibes".
The carnival is Europe's biggest street party and is billed by organisers as "the greatest community-led event on the planet".
Around a million people are expected to attend over the bank holiday weekend with about 7,000 officers on duty across the celebrations.
The police said the order also gives officers the power to demand the removal of face coverings being used to conceal a person's identity and anyone refusing can be arrested.
Credit: GETTY How to travel to the carnival today:
A reminder that some stations are closed or partially closed during the event:
- Ladbroke Grove: Closed all day.
- Westbourne Park: No entry from 11:00.
- Latimer Road: Closes at 23:30.
- Notting Hill Gate: No entry from 11:00 to 18:00. The District and Circle lines will not stop, and there will be no interchange between the Central Line and the District/Circle lines all day.
- Holland Park: No entry from 11:00 to 15:00.
- Royal Oak: No entry from 11:00 to 18:00. The station closes at 18:00.
The best way to arrive to the carnival on the tube is via Paddington or Shepherd’s Bush.
TfL is also putting on two special bus routes. The 12X and 36X will run between south London and the Carnival on both Sunday and Monday.
Numerous other bus routes will run close to the Carnival but be affected by road closures. Those are: 7, 12, 18, 23, 27, 28, 31, 36, 52, 70, 94, 148, 295,316 and 328.
London Mayor praises Notting Hill revellers
Sadiq Khan says the carnival is an "amazing way to bring communities together".
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, he said: "Fantastic scenes at Notting Hill Carnival today celebrating London’s Caribbean communities."
Heading to the carnival? There's an app for that ...
You can sign up with your email to be the first to access the official 2024 Notting Hill Carnival Map.
Its digital map lets you easily find:
* Sound Systems
* Live Stages
* Cultural Sites
* Safer Spaces
* Toilets
The organisers have marked every sound system, stage, and cultural site with precise pins, so you never miss a beat.
Its map works offline, making sure you can navigate Carnival seamlessly, even in areas with limited connectivity.
Access the map .
Colourful crowds gather amid heavy police presence - pictures
The Grand Parade takes place in Notting Hill as the culmination of the three-day festival which began in 1966.
Those taking part have started gathering nearby and preparing their colourful costumes, with security policing and graffiti-covered protective hoardings in place.
The first pictures have started arriving from the event - here is a selection.
Credit: ALAMY 
Credit: ALAMY 
Credit: ALAMY Craig David wows fans in Notting Hill
Singer Craig David surprised Notting Hill Carnival attendees with an impromptu street performance yesterday.
The 43-year-old star joined the festivities when he stumbled upon a vibrant sound system.
“My inner child took over and I in that moment I knew exactly the assignment,” he captioned the video.
When 7 Days meets Taxi Riddim 👀🎶😮💨 As soon as I heard that sound system my inner child took over & in that moment I knew exactly the assignment🔥🎤❤️🇯🇲🔊 🔊 — Craig David (@CraigDavid)
What's happening at Notting Hill Carnival today?
Today is Adult’s Day at the Notting Hill Carnival, promising another day of vibrant celebrations.
The adult parade will kick off at 10am on Great Western Road.
Soundsystems will start at midday and keep the energy high until about 7pm.
The main stage will transform into the Strawberries & Creams stage at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, adding to the day’s festivities.
In pictures: here are a selection of images from the opening days of the event
Credit: SPLASH 
Credit: SPLASH 
Credit: SPLASH 
Credit: SPLASH Travelling to the Carnival? Here's what you need to know
Nearby stations that will remain open throughout the event include Paddington (serving the Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City, District, Circle, and Elizabeth lines) and Shepherd’s Bush (serving the Central line and Overground).
Stations with Service Disruptions:
- Ladbroke Grove: Closed all day.
- Westbourne Park: No entry from 11:00.
- Latimer Road: Closes at 23:30.
- Notting Hill Gate: No entry from 11:00 to 18:00. District and Circle lines will not stop, and no interchange between the Central Line and District/Circle lines all day.
- Holland Park: No entry from 11:00 to 15:00.
Royal Oak: No entry from 11:00 to 18:00; station closes at 18:00.
'No indication at all' of those responsible for recent riots attending the Carnival
In a statement, police said: "There is no indication at all that those responsible for fuelling or participating in the recent disorder seen in London and further afield plan to attend Carnival.
"However, residents and Carnivalgoers alike can be reassured that we will deal with them swiftly and decisively in the unlikely event that they do."