Police hail ‘peaceful’ carnival

29 August 2011 Last updated at 15:21 ET

Police say the Notting Hill Carnival has been peaceful, with 170 arrests so far during the two-day event.

Officers are investigating the stabbing of man, thought to be in his 20s, near the west London carnival on Monday.

He is said to be in a serious condition in hospital. Three people have been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

More than a million people were expected to attend the carnival, billed as Europe’s biggest street festival.

The festivities drew to a close 90 minutes earlier than last year, at 19:00 BST.

More than 6,500 police officers were on duty, with 82 arrests made on Sunday and 88 arrests so far on Monday.

London Ambulance Service said 241 people were treated at the event with 27 taken to hospital.

The arrests have been for a variety of offences including drugs possession, public order, theft, criminal damage, robbery and assault, the Metropolitan Police said.

Officers used automatic number plate recognition outside of the carnival area to target potential troublemakers and preventing them from getting to the event.

The stabbing happened at around 18:00 BST said the Met Police, on Ladbroke Grove.

Officers said the man was found with possible stab wounds to the abdomen and hand.

In both 2009 and 2010, there were more than 200 arrests across the two days.

‘True spirit’

Some roads and Tube stations were closed for the carnival and Transport for London issued a guide with full details.

Police officers gathered at the start of the carnival route to try and prevent disorder

Met Commander Steve Rodhouse said: “Through effective stop and search we believe we have deterred and prevented trouble from taking place.

“We will make sure that our officers are out stopping the right people so everyone can take part and join in the fun.”

where in London there were more than 4,000 additional officers “as well as the thousands who are normally on duty”, Mr Rodhouse added.

London Mayor Boris Johnson issued a rallying call at the start of Monday’s celebrations to “let the true spirit of London shine through”, hoping the carnival would help heal wounds left by the riots.

“It’s right that carnival goes ahead so we can show the world that the overwhelming majority of London’s people are decent, law-abiding citizens who respect the law, love their city and want to celebrate our vibrant, diverse and historical culture,” he said.

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