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Carnival crowds take to streets | Carnival crowds take to streets |
(about 1 hour later) | |
More than half a million people took to the streets of west London for day two of the Notting Hill Carnival. | |
Parades of flamboyant performers along with sunny weather attracted the crowds, with an estimated 600,000 at the event at 1800 BST. | |
The revelry is continuing with police maintaining a presence to guard against trouble, which has flared in the evening in previous years. | |
Police are investigating a suspected shooting and have made 165 arrests. | |
The suspected shooting happened in the area of Blenheim Crescent at around 1925 BST. Police heard shots being fired and found a 17-year-old youth with a shoulder wound. | |
Arrests down | |
His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening and an arrest has been made in connection with the incident. | |
More than half a million people attended the carnival on Monday | |
Police pointed out that arrests were down compared with last year. | |
Ch Insp Jo Edwards said: "Our arrest figures are down and a lot of this is due to the use of police stop-and-search powers. | |
"We are not targeting the law-abiding citizens, we are targeting those who we have reasonable grounds to believe could cause a serious assault as seen in previous years. | |
"Yesterday, police recovered a firearm using their stop-and-search powers." | |
The carnival, which is in its 43rd year, is the world's second largest street party after the Rio Carnival held in Brazil. An estimated 1.4m people attended on Sunday. | |
Processions of brightly-dressed participants in elaborate costumes have been dancing along west London's streets to the sound of Caribbean rhythms. | Processions of brightly-dressed participants in elaborate costumes have been dancing along west London's streets to the sound of Caribbean rhythms. |
On Sunday, an estimated 250,000 people turned out to see the children's parade. | On Sunday, an estimated 250,000 people turned out to see the children's parade. |
'Slavery' roots | 'Slavery' roots |
Lewis Benn, one of the carnival's organisers, said the event had grown into a massive cultural celebration. | Lewis Benn, one of the carnival's organisers, said the event had grown into a massive cultural celebration. |
"The history of carnival evolved from the slavery days of people under oppression - looking at ways to free themselves from oppressiveness and that's how carnival evolved into the great event it is now. | "The history of carnival evolved from the slavery days of people under oppression - looking at ways to free themselves from oppressiveness and that's how carnival evolved into the great event it is now. |
"Coming over in the '50s from our forefathers in the Caribbean, mainly Trinidad, and it has grown into what we have - a great diverse event which covers all cultures and is now one, if not the biggest, cultural event in Europe." | "Coming over in the '50s from our forefathers in the Caribbean, mainly Trinidad, and it has grown into what we have - a great diverse event which covers all cultures and is now one, if not the biggest, cultural event in Europe." |
About 4,000 police officers have been deployed, patrolling the streets around the event. | |
Some 178 criminal incidents have been reported and paramedics have treated 161 people at the event, including six police officers, with 22 people taken to hospital. | |
Three people arrested on Sunday on suspicion of attempted murder, after a stabbing in Ladbroke Grove, remain in custody. | Three people arrested on Sunday on suspicion of attempted murder, after a stabbing in Ladbroke Grove, remain in custody. |
Another three men have also been arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms. | Another three men have also been arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms. |
Four people were arrested on Sunday night in Maida Vale as part of an ongoing intelligence operation by police. A firearm was also recovered. | Four people were arrested on Sunday night in Maida Vale as part of an ongoing intelligence operation by police. A firearm was also recovered. |
'Very safe' | 'Very safe' |
Carnival-goers have praised organisers and police for making the event feel safe. | Carnival-goers have praised organisers and police for making the event feel safe. |
Mia Frederickson, 35, who attended with her husband and two children, said: "We're having a great time and the kids are loving the atmosphere. | Mia Frederickson, 35, who attended with her husband and two children, said: "We're having a great time and the kids are loving the atmosphere. |
"They're only five and 18 months but there's so many police around I'm not too concerned. It feels very safe." | "They're only five and 18 months but there's so many police around I'm not too concerned. It feels very safe." |
Carnival in pictures Carnival sights and sounds | Carnival in pictures Carnival sights and sounds |
Chris Jenkins, 35, an IT consultant from Clapham, south London, who is among the spectators at the street party, said: "This is London at its best - people all getting on together." | Chris Jenkins, 35, an IT consultant from Clapham, south London, who is among the spectators at the street party, said: "This is London at its best - people all getting on together." |
And 24-year-old Lisa Roberts, from Australia, said: "We heard only great things about carnival so we had to come and experience it. | And 24-year-old Lisa Roberts, from Australia, said: "We heard only great things about carnival so we had to come and experience it. |
"We thought the summer had forgotten to come to London but it's great to see the sun out and everyone enjoying themselves. | "We thought the summer had forgotten to come to London but it's great to see the sun out and everyone enjoying themselves. |
"Culturally, this is definitely one of the richest festivals I've ever been to." | "Culturally, this is definitely one of the richest festivals I've ever been to." |
In the months leading up to the carnival police arrested 24 people. | In the months leading up to the carnival police arrested 24 people. |
And for the weekend British Transport Police installed metal detector arches on underground and railway stations to screen people bound for the event. | And for the weekend British Transport Police installed metal detector arches on underground and railway stations to screen people bound for the event. |
An automatic number plate recognition system has also been installed near the boundary of the carnival to assist police to stop and search suspect vehicles. | An automatic number plate recognition system has also been installed near the boundary of the carnival to assist police to stop and search suspect vehicles. |
Have you been to the Notting Hill Carnival this weekend? If so, send your pictures to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk | Have you been to the Notting Hill Carnival this weekend? If so, send your pictures to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk |
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |