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.
Follow our live blog below for the latest updates....
Thousands of officers in Notting Hill
Around 7,000 officers will be on duty to keep everyone attending safe and to respond to any incidents, say the Met Police.
Officers, who will be drawn from local policing teams as well as specialist units, will be supported by colleagues from the City of London Police and the British Transport Police.
The operation follows months of detailed planning with the event organisers, local authorities and other partners.
'Heavy' police presence expected at Notting Hill today
A heavy police presence is expected at the second day of Notting Hill Carnival after three people were stabbed on Sunday, the news agency PA is reporting.
This is an ongoing story. Follow us here for all the updates.
A selection of the day's best pictures
Credit: Guy Bell/Alamy Live News 
Photo by REX/Shutterstock 
Credit: Dinendra Haria/LNP
What's happening tomorrow?
Tomorrow is Adult’s Day at the Notting Hill Carnival, promising another day of vibrant celebrations.
The adult parade will kick off at 10 am on Great Western Road.
Soundsystems will start at midday and keep the energy high until around 7 pm.
Alternatively, the main stage will transform into the Strawberries & Creams stage at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, adding to the day’s festivities.
Craig David wows fans
Singer Craig David surprised Notting Hill Carnival attendees with an impromptu street performance.
The 43-year-old star joined the festivities on Sunday, August 25, 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.
Metropolitan Police deploy 7,000 officers for carnival
The Metropolitan Police have promised a 'very significant policing presence' at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival, with 7,000 officers scheduled to be on duty today and tomorrow.
This increased security comes in the wake of recent rioting and violent incidents across the UK.
Credit: Alamy Live News Commander Charmain Brenyah, the Met’s spokesperson said: “Having grown up not far from where Carnival takes place I have many happy memories of the music, costumes, floats and fantastic atmosphere.
“That is the experience I want everyone coming to Carnival this year to have and we will work closely with the organisers and partners to make that a reality.
Carnival Magic
Children are seen wearing a fantastic array of colours as they walk in the parade.
Credit: Alamy Live News 
Credit: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing How to travel today:
A reminder that the following stations are closed or partially closed today:
- 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.
Photos from today
Children can be seen joyfully enjoying the traditional Sunday carnival.
Credit: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing 
Credit: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing 
Credit: Alamy Live News
Pictures from the day
Friends and neighbours celebrate together in Notting Hill carnival festivities
Photo by REUTERS/Hollie Adams 
Credit: Matt Crossick/PA Media Assignments 
Credit: Matt Crossick/PA Media Assignments Huge crowds gather at Carnival
Over one million people are expected to participate today, with a total of 3.5 million anticipated across the entire weekend. The Carnival festivities will continue tomorrow, promising even more vibrant celebrations.
Credit: Ray Tang/LNP 
Credit: Sinai Noor/REX/Shutterstock Costume frenzy
Partygoers are out in style today, sporting bright, vibrant, and eye-catching costumes.
Here, two men are seen wearing black vests and hats adorned with bull horns.
Photo by Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images Feathered fun
Children celebrate beneath a dazzling arch of blue, pink, and purple feathers.
Credit: Guy Bell/REX/Shutterstock Where does the route go?
The parade route spans over three miles, beginning near Westbourne Park station, winding down Westbourne Grove, and looping back up towards Ladbroke Grove.
Carnival kicks on
Carnival goers dazzle in vibrant outfits, adorned with bright blue and white feathers.
Credit: Guy Bell/Alamy Live News 
Credit: Guy Bell/Alamy Live News This is an Alamy Live News image and may not be part of your current Alamy deal . If you are unsure, please contact our sales team to check.
London Landlord earns £12,000 in two days
A London landlord expects to rake in an extra £12,000 over the course of two days during this year's Notting Hill Carnival, even with his pub boarded up.
Jack Regan capitalises on the festivities by serving takeaway drinks, ensuring the carnival's energy never wanes.
Jack Regan, 29, landlord of The Prince Bonaparte. Credit: Louis Wood "Running the pub is a very beneficial weekend financially, we make a lot of money just through liquor sales," he said.
"The best thing is just being here actually on the parade route so when you sit outside serving you can see all the floats, the parades, the DJ’s and live music coming down.
“It's a good atmosphere and it's good fun.”
With an estimated two million people flooding the streets, the two-day Carnival is believed to generate around £300 million for London's economy.
Craig David's surprise street performance
Singer Craig David surprised Notting Hill Carnival attendees with an impromptu street performance.
The 43-year-old star joined the festivities on Sunday, August 25, 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.
Police on duty at the carnival
Seven thousand officers are on duty at the carnival amid heightened safety precautions following august riots.
Credit: Jeff Moore/PA Wire Carnival celebrations continue
This year’s carnival theme celebrates Caribbean traditions and highlights the capital's cultural diversity and inclusion.
Credit: Dinendra Haria/LNP 
Credit: Reuters/Hollie Adams Mangrove Steelband triumphs last night
Last night, participants showcased their skills at Notting Hill Carnival's Panorama evening, the UK's largest steel pan competition.
In this event, five bands performed ten-minute compositions entirely from memory.
The event was won by the Mangrove Steelband, pictured below.
Credit: Jeff Moore/PA Wire 
Members of the Mangrove Steelband performing. Credit: Jeff Moore/PA Wire A reminder of station closures
A reminder that the following stations are closed or partially closed today:
- 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.
Pictures from the Children's Day Parade
Credit: Jeff Moore/PA Wire 
Credit: Jeff Moore/PA Wire Live on stage
Later today the Red Bull Selectors stage in Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park will be headlined by legends of UK bass and UK funky Lil Silva and Shy One.
Alternatively, partygoers can head to the Powis Square Stage, which is open from 12 pm to 7 pm.
Early risers keep the carnival spirit alive
The traditional J’Ouvert parade was called off by organisers this year after no official bands were available to participate.
The vibrant event typically kicks off the Sunday celebrations at 6am, with participants dancing to steel bands and rhythm sections, while covering each other in paint and powder.
Despite the official cancellation of J’Ouvert, early risers still made their mark in style, enthusiastically spraying each other with paint as the joyful festival kicked off.
Credit: Ehimetalor Unuabona/Story Picture Agency 
Credit: Ehimetalor Unuabona/Story Picture Agency Metropolitan Police deploy 7,000 officers for carnival
The Metropolitan Police announced a "very significant policing presence" for this year's Notting Hill Carnival, with 7,000 officers on duty.
This increased security comes in the wake of recent rioting and violent incidents across the UK.
Commander Charmain Brenyah, the Met’s spokesperson said: “Having grown up not far from where Carnival takes place I have many happy memories of the music, costumes, floats and fantastic atmosphere.
“That is the experience I want everyone coming to Carnival this year to have and we will work closely with the organisers and partners to make that a reality.