Police officers feel unsafe at Notting Hill Carnival, survey reveals

The Notting Hill Carnival, celebrated annually during the August bank holiday in London, is one of Europe's largest street festivals, drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees each year. However, a recent survey conducted by the Metropolitan Police Federation revealed alarming statistics regarding the safety and well-being of officers assigned to police the event. The survey, which attracted responses from 486 officers, indicated that 88.66 percent of participants felt unsafe while on duty during the carnival. Additionally, the survey noted that 28.78 percent of responding officers had been directly assaulted while policing the event. These figures underscore the dangers faced by law enforcement personnel during what is meant to be a celebration of culture and community. Organizers of the Notting Hill Carnival have pushed back against these findings, labeling the survey as flawed and biased. They claim it was driven by unsubstantiated quotes and lacks reliable data to substantiate the concerns raised by police officers. According to carnival representatives, the survey reflected the views of only 7 percent of potential police officers on duty, suggesting that many others may not have shared the same negative experiences. They attribute the highlighted issues to a lack of proper food and rest facilities for police officers, framing these concerns as a matter of internal police management rather than issues directly linked to the carnival itself. Simon Hill, deputy general secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation, acknowledged the survey's aim to highlight the significant challenges officers face while policing this particular event. Hill emphasized that the level of assaults reported by officers after the carnival is consistent and that no other event in London faces this volume of incidents. Given the context of the carnival’s history and the ongoing safety issues, he stressed the need for comprehensive changes to ensure the safety of both police and attendees moving forward. Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward echoed this sentiment, noting that the Notting Hill Carnival is a vital cultural event for London. However, he acknowledged the need for substantial changes in the management and organization of the festival to adequately address crowd safety risks. Ward underscored the importance of acting on insights derived from the survey to avoid potential catastrophic outcomes, particularly in light of past instances of violence and disorder during the event, including two murders, eight stabbings, and 349 arrests reported during this year’s carnival.