Carnival given £5m to combat overcrowding dangers

The mayor of London has announced an additional £4.66m in funding to support Notting Hill Carnival this year as it celebrates its 60th anniversary.

It will enable organisers to deal with potential overcrowding at the event, following an independent review.

The celebration of Caribbean history and culture is one of the world's biggest street festivals and - according to City Hall - boosts the economy by nearly £400m.

Sir Sadiq Khan said the growth in size and popularity of the event meant safety and security needed to be improved, and he was stepping in with the support "to ensure that this hugely important event for our capital can take place, as we build a better London for everyone".

Susan Hall, the leader of the City Hall Conservatives, said the money should have been spent elsewhere.

"It could have saved the two police counters in Kensington & Chelsea from closure, along with others across London - but instead will be given as a blank cheque to Notting Hill Carnival.

"My report last year was very clear that structural reform is necessary to prevent a mass crushing event at Notting Hill, and this money is not that.

"I want Labour politicians to look voters in the eye and explain why we're losing frontline officers to fund this."

Ian Comfort, the chair of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, said the mayor's support meant they could put on a "safe, spectacular and sustainable carnival".

"From its beginnings in September 1966, when Rhaune Laslett sought to bring unity to a neighbourhood marked by racial tension, poor housing and social division, the carnival has grown from a small local street party into a global cultural institution."

He said the funding would let organisers be responsible for duties historically managed by the Metropolitan Police, allowing the force "to focus on their core policing duties during the event".

Matthew Phillips, chief executive of Carnival Village Trust which organises the street festival, said the event could not have gone ahead safely without the funding.

It comes after 528 people were arrested, two people were stabbed and 55 police officers were assaulted at last year's event.

In the 2024 carnival, 334 people were arrested and eight people were stabbed, leaving one person dead. Another person died in hospital after being punched in a separate attack.

"The Met have said that they can't continue in the way that they were and without them in place, it would have been concerning," Phillips said.

"It's a partnership. We work closely with the local authority but, specifically, the Met are a key partner in making this work together."

The grant is expected to provide at least 1,000 more security guards, crowd safety experts, barriers and wi-fi to allow safety teams to communicate if they spot anti-social behaviour during the carnival.

Joe Powell, Labour MP for Kensington and Bayswater, said the funding meant the event could go ahead "in a safe and well-organised manner" which was "great news" for the community.

The Met declined to comment.

Notting Hill Carnival is due to take place August 29-31.

For more details visit the official website.

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