Police Make Over 140 Arrests, Employing Facial Recognition and Enhanced Powers to Combat Violence

As of the evening, a total of 140 arrests had been made during the Notting Hill Carnival in London. Among these, 15 were for assaults on police officers, and four were related to sexual assaults. The Metropolitan Police reported that 105 arrests occurred within the Carnival area itself, while 35 were made on the approaches to the event due to proactive policing. Over 50 arrests were linked to illegal drugs, and 21 were due to the possession of illegal weapons. One officer required hospital treatment after sustaining a hand injury, and the force confirmed that all officers would receive support.

Police utilized live facial recognition technology, which led to 13 of the 35 arrests made on the approaches to the Carnival. Additional powers were authorized as part of the policing operation. These included the power to search individuals in a specified area for weapons or dangerous items without reasonable suspicion, as permitted by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. Officers could also require people to remove face coverings worn to conceal identity, with refusal potentially leading to arrest. A dispersal order was also in effect, allowing officers to order individuals to leave the area for up to 48 hours. These powers will remain in effect the following day.

Prior to the event, on Friday, police had already arrested 100 people to ensure safety. These arrests resulted in 21 individuals being recalled to prison. Officers also seized 11 firearms and over 40 knives. Additionally, 266 people were either given police bail or probation licence conditions prohibiting them from attending the Carnival. Commander Charmain Brenyah, the Met’s spokesperson for Carnival, stated that approximately one million people were expected to attend the event. She acknowledged that while the majority attend to celebrate Caribbean culture, a minority have demonstrated less positive intentions, leading to serious violence in recent years.