Met Police ‘tired of seeing crime’ at Notting Hill Carnival after three stabbed

Woman, 32, taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after being knifed in front of her child at west London event

The Metropolitan Police has said it is “tired of seeing crime scenes” at the Notting Hill Carnival after three people, including a mother, were stabbed on Sunday.
The 32-year-old mother was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after she was stabbed in front of her child at the festival in west London.
Fifteen officers were assaulted, although none were seriously injured, with 90 arrests made on Sunday, police said.
Arrests were made for a range of alleged crimes including assault on an emergency worker, assault, possession with intent to supply, sexual offences and robbery, the police said.
A Section 60 order, allowing police to stop and search anyone in a specified area, was implemented from 6.05pm on Sunday evening until 2am on Monday, with the second day of the carnival expected to be heavily flanked by police officers.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is in charge of the policing operation, said his officers were “tired of seeing crime scenes at Carnival”.
“Yesterday we saw the first day of Carnival marred by unacceptable violence,” he said. “Three people were stabbed, and we only very narrowly avoided a fatality.
“This was supposed to be ‘family day’ – a celebration suitable for all ages. One of those in hospital, a 32-year-old woman whose condition remains critical, was at Carnival with her young child.
“We are tired of saying the same words every year. We are tired of telling families that their loved ones are seriously injured, or worse. We are tired of seeing crime scenes at Carnival.
“Carnival is a community event, and the vast majority of people come to celebrate, to dance, to enjoy music and have a fantastic experience. It is the responsibility of all who value this event, who want to see it as the celebration it should be, to speak out and speak up about the violence that continues to overshadow it.
“Whether it is information about a previous incident now under investigation, or information about someone coming to Carnival today to commit crime, please tell us. If you know anything that could help us, please call the police directly or contact Crimestoppers anonymously. It is no exaggeration to say that you could save a life by doing so.”
The main parade, described by organisers as the climax of Carnival with “party vibes”, is held on Monday. It is Europe’s biggest street party and billed by organisers as “the greatest community-led event on the planet”.
Around a million people are expected to attend over the Bank Holiday weekend, with about 7,000 officers on duty across the celebrations.
The police said the Section 60 order also gives officers the power to demand the removal of face coverings being used to conceal a person’s identity, and anyone refusing to do so can be arrested.
Earlier on Sunday, the streets of west London came alive with colour, costumes, dancing and music and thousands of revellers enjoyed the celebrations. During Sunday’s Children and Families Day, youngsters wearing bright and intricate costumes danced in the streets along the parade route. 
This annual celebration of Caribbean heritage, arts and culture has been running for more than 50 years.