Notting Hill Carnival policing costs rise to £15.7m

The cost of policing the Notting Hill Carnival has risen to £15.7 million in 2025, an increase from £11.7 million in 2023. For the 2026 event, the Metropolitan Police deployed more than 7,000 officers and implemented bans on over 330 individuals as part of bail conditions. The force also recorded 528 arrests during the two main days of the 2025 carnival, including 167 for drug offences.

Carnival organisers defend event's safety record

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Mayor pledges £4.66m for 2026 Notting Hill Carnival

The West London event will run for three days, culminating in a main parade on Bank Holiday Monday.

Matthew Phillip, chief executive of Notting Hill Carnival, stated that it is unfair to blame the event for violence, describing it as a "victim of crime rather than a perpetrator". He highlighted that the annual street parade has a "very good" safety record compared to other large-scale events in London. The Metropolitan Police confirmed they would "relentlessly" pursue those intending to cause harm. In 2025, arrests included 50 for possession of an offensive weapon, 21 for sexual offences, four for violence with injury, and 49 for other violence.

The police operation began weeks before the carnival, with efforts to identify and disrupt individuals likely to be involved in violence. This included working with Greater Manchester Police to arrest seven people suspected of belonging to a gang that targets music festivals and events, with intelligence suggesting previous targeting of the carnival. Officers were granted temporary powers for stop and searches under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. A total of 76 zombie knives, 30 flick knives, and a machete were seized.

Additional funding for stewards and CCTV

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Notting Hill Carnival faces rain and thunder forecast

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City Hall provided an additional £4.6 million grant to the carnival organisers to double the number of stewards and enhance the use of CCTV cameras along the parade route. Commander Charmain Brenyah, the Met's spokeswoman for Carnival, noted that while organisers received extra funding, this cost was not directly transferred to police funding. She expressed hope that the City Hall investment would allow the Met to redirect resources to other policing responsibilities. Despite a history of serious violence, she added that the "overwhelming majority" of attendees do not cause trouble.

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan stated his pride in providing the additional funding, calling Notting Hill Carnival a "community-led celebration of Caribbean history and culture" marking its 60th anniversary. He emphasised its role in welcoming people from all backgrounds to enjoy food, fashion, and music, celebrating London's diversity and unity.