A policing and security operation that saw Thousands of police officers deployed to Notting Hill Carnival over the weekend, but the event was marred by a series of violent incidents.

It following many months of preparatory work with event organisers, local authority and other partners and community representatives.

The Notting Hill Carnival is a major event in London’s cultural calendar, attracting 2 million this year. It is a celebration of Caribbean culture and music, but it has also been marred by violence.

Met Police say “While the atmosphere throughout the weekend was largely positive, the latter stages of the event sadly saw a series of violent incidents.”

A 29-year-old man was stabbed in Warfield Road on Monday evening and is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

There were a number of other stabbings in the hours before that incident.

A 19-year-old man was also stabbed in Ladbroke Grove and remains in a serious but stable condition. Six other men were stabbed in separate incidents.

Six other men aged 18, 19, 20, 25, 28 and 40 were stabbed in separate incidents throughout the evening. They sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Across the two days, there were 308 arrests, including for possession of offensive weapons, assaults, possession of drugs, and sexual offences. Sunday, there were 110 arrests. Monday there were a further 198 arrests.

One man sustained a non-life-changing slash wound but declined medical attention.

Police also seized a firearm and arrested a man in connection with it.

In addition, over 50 police officers reported being assaulted at the carnival. This includes officers who were kicked, punched, spat on, bitten, head-butted, and sexually assaulted.

The Met Police said that the vast majority of people at the carnival enjoyed themselves safely, but that the violence was “completely unacceptable”.

The force is continuing to investigate the incidents and is asking anyone with information to come forward.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who oversaw the policing operation, said: “It is regrettable that for a second year in a row, Monday night at Carnival has been marred by serious violence.

“Nobody disputes the significance of Carnival on London’s cultural calendar and the overwhelming majority of those who came will have had a positive experience. However, we cannot overlook the stabbings, sexual assaults and attacks on police officers that we have seen.

“As we do following any major operation, we will be reviewing the events of the past two days and giving thorough consideration to what may need to change in future years.

“It is important to recognise the positives that we can take away from the event. I am pleased that by working in close partnership with the event organisers and the stewarding teams, we were able to closely monitor crowd density and intervene in an effective way to prevent any incidents of crushing at peak times.

“I would like to thank all the officers who have worked so hard over the weekend to keep people safe.

“Carnival is a challenging policing environment. Officers were asked to be vigilant and alert but to be approachable, respectful and sensitive at the same time. They did all of that and more and they deserve our recognition and our thanks.”

Notting Hill Carnival 2023 arrests