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Half a million to attend Carnival Carnival crowds take to streets
(about 1 hour later)
At least half a million people are expected to line the streets of west London for the main day of the Notting Hill Carnival, according to police. The second day of the Notting Hill Carnival in west London is under way with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets.
The theme of this year's event is Set All Free, commemorating the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade.The theme of this year's event is Set All Free, commemorating the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade.
Hundreds of police officers have been mobilised for the street party and 70 arrests were made on Sunday. Hundreds of police officers have been mobilised for the street party with 70 arrests made on Sunday.
A man is in a stable condition after he was found in Ladbroke Grove with suffering from wounds. The number of criminal incidents have also reduced with 102 reports, which is 36 less than last year, police said.
Police said the man was found on Sunday and three people have been arrested over the incident. British Transport Police installed metal detector arches on underground and railway stations to screen people bound for the carnival.
Adding to the tight security an automatic number plate recognition system has also been installed near the boundary of the carnival location to assist police to stop and search suspect vehicles.
Carnival's 'slavery' roots
Officers raided a residential property at Aldsworth Close, Maida Vale at about 0100 BST on Sunday and arrested four suspected offenders. A firearm was also recovered during the raid.
A man is in a stable condition after he was found in Ladbroke Grove on Sunday suffering from stab wounds. Three people have been arrested over the incident.
In the months leading up to the carnival police arrested 24 people following intelligence-led operations.
The theme for this year's carnival is the abolition of the slave tradeThe theme for this year's carnival is the abolition of the slave trade
Ch Insp Jo Edwards from the Met police said: "We've been receiving intelligence all up towards the carnival -- and throughout the carnival period - which suggests that there are still a small minority of people who are intent on coming to the carnival to commit crime and they're the people we'll be targeting." Ch Insp Jo Edwards from the Met police said: "We've been receiving intelligence all up towards the carnival - and throughout the carnival period .
He said it suggested "there are still a small minority of people who are intent on coming to the carnival to commit crime and they're the people we'll be targeting".
The Notting Hill Carnival, which is in its 43rd year, is the world's second largest street party, after the Rio Carnival held in Brazil.The Notting Hill Carnival, which is in its 43rd year, is the world's second largest street party, after the Rio Carnival held in Brazil.
Lewis Benn, one of the carnival's organisers, said: "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.Lewis Benn, one of the carnival's organisers, said: "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 '50's 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 '50's 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."
The three-mile parade route begins in Great Western Road and ends in Ladbroke Grove.The three-mile parade route begins in Great Western Road and ends in Ladbroke Grove.


Have you been to the Notting Hill Carnival this weekend? If so, send your pictures to: yourpics@bbc.co.ukHave you been to the Notting Hill Carnival this weekend? If so, send your pictures to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk
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