Carnival sends message of defiance to terrorists
Revellers at the Notting Hill Carnival have shown terrorism will never triumph, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner has said.
Speaking as half-a-million partygoers flocked to the 41st Notting Hill Carnival on Monday, Sir Ian Blair said the capital’s defiant spirit would “endure and prevail”.
Sir Ian said Europe’s biggest street festival had gone off “very well” with good relations between the police and the community throughout the event.
Police made 131 arrests, mainly for minor offences, Sir Ian said, with a small number of injuries, similar to last year. The arrests were for offences of assault, drugs, criminal damage, drunkenness, possession of offensive weapons and public order.
Carnival organisers said attendance was slightly less than expected, probably because people stayed away because of the London bombings in July.
Lewis Benn, a carnival organiser, told the BBC: “The unfortunate incidents of July 7th has had an impact on people’s lives.
“But I would say that by looking at the show of force and people that have come out from all ethnic backgrounds, it just goes to show that Londoners will not be beaten by these people.”
Police said 500,000 congregated on Monday and 200,000 on Sunday.
