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Carnival crowds take to streets Carnival crowds take to streets
(30 minutes later)
Hundreds of thousands of people have turned out on the streets of west London for the second day of the Notting Hill Carnival.Hundreds of thousands of people have turned out on the streets of west London for the second day of the Notting Hill Carnival.
Parades of flamboyant performers along with sunny weather have attracted the crowds, with half a million expected.
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 event. Police have made 104 arrests over the carnival period, including three for attempted murder.
Police have made 104 arrests over the carnival period, including three for attempted murder. Some 124 criminal incidents have also been reported. Some 124 criminal incidents have also been reported.
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 carnival, which is in its 43rd year, is the world's second largest street party after the Rio Carnival held in Brazil.
Processions with flamboyantly-dressed performers and colourful floats, along with sunny weather, have drawn crowds to the streets of west London, with at least half a million expected. Processions of brightly-dressed participants in elaborate costumes have been dancing along west London's streets to the sound of Caribbean rhythms.
'Slavery' roots'Slavery' roots
Figures for the carnival include 11,000 police shifts, five million tonnes of chicken consumed and 5,000 bottles of rum. During the carnival, five million tonnes of chicken and 5,000 bottles of rum are expected to be consumed, while a total of 11,000 police shifts will be used.
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 '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 '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."
Flamboyant performers and floats have paraded the streetsFlamboyant performers and floats have paraded the streets
The carnival has proceeded relatively peacefully so far, Chief Inspector Jo Edwards said, with the number of arrests and reported crimes reduced substantially from last year. The carnival had proceeded relatively peacefully so far, Ch Insp Jo Edwards said, with the number of arrests and reported crimes reduced substantially from last year.
Hundreds of police officers have been deployed, patrolling the streets around the event.
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'
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, said she and her husband had felt safe bringing their two young children to the carnival. 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.
"We're having a great time and the kids are loving the atmosphere," she said.
"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."
At least half a million people are expected on the carnival's main dayAt least half a million people are expected on the carnival's main day
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.
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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