Police reported a significant increase in arrests on the second day of the Notting Hill Carnival, detaining more revellers as Europe's largest street party celebrated its 60th anniversary. This follows 243 arrests made on Sunday's "family day."
Monday, known as "adults day," saw heightened activity with more than 7,000 police officers and 3,000 security stewards deployed across West London. A Section 60 order was implemented, granting officers stop-and-search powers without requiring prior suspicion. The Metropolitan Police reported arresting 97 individuals on the "approaches" to the carnival, with the remainder detained within the event itself for offenses including drug and weapons possession, assaults on emergency workers, and sexual offenses. Two knife attacks were reported on Sunday, neither resulting in life-changing injuries.
The carnival's security operation included the deployment of facial recognition technology, which police stated helped identify 61 individuals with outstanding warrants. Metal detectors were installed at the festival's perimeter. Transport for London managed crowd flow by designating some Underground stations as "exit only."
Despite the increased police activity, Commander Claire Smart described the mood on Sunday as "overwhelmingly positive and celebratory." However, the event has faced scrutiny in recent years due to incidents of violence and drug use. In the lead-up to this year's carnival, police seized hundreds of weapons, including zombie knives and machetes, and arrested seven individuals on suspicion of planning robberies at the festival. Approximately 330 people have been banned from attending as a condition of their bail.
The Notting Hill Carnival is estimated to contribute nearly £400 million to the economy annually. However, the policing operation incurred significant costs, with the Metropolitan Police's expenditure rising to £15.7 million last year. Additional funding was provided by City Hall for stewards and CCTV. Local authorities also face substantial clean-up and staffing expenses, leading some to suggest an admission fee to help cover costs.
Past carnivals have been marred by serious incidents, including the murders of Cher Maximen in 2024 and Mussie Imnetu in the same year. Last year, the Met made over 500 arrests, primarily for drug offenses, weapons, sex crimes, and violence. No fatalities were reported at the 2025 carnival.