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Carnival crowds take to streets | Carnival crowds take to streets |
(20 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. | 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. |
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 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 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. | |
'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." |
At least half a million people are expected on the carnival's main day | |
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. | 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. | 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' | '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." |
class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6965859.stm">Carnival in pictures | |
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.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 |