The Met Police has been criticised after new statistics revealed that more than twice as many people were stopped and searched at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival compared with last.
Figures requested by Caroline Russell, the London Assembly’s Green group leader, show that while 371 people were stopped in 2022, the number rose to 798 in 2023 - a 115 per cent increase.
The Met said its officers were responding to “intelligence that weapons were being brought” to the event and that eight people received stab wounds as a result of violent incidents.
But Ms Russell criticised the fact that both this year and last, nearly 80 per cent of stop and searches at the carnival resulted in no further action being taken by police.
At this year's event, 638 people faced no further action, 13 received a penalty notice, five received a postal charge requisition or summons, 60 resulted in a community resolution and 82 were arrested.
Ms Russell said: “638 people had their day at Notting Hill Carnival wrecked by being pulled out of the crowd and searched without any further police action.
“I witnessed stop and searches that appeared to be random and lacking any intelligence behind them, simply serving to intimidate festival-goers. It certainly seemed a far cry from the precise policing the Commissioner has promised.
“This dragnet approach by the Met must stop if they hope to regain the trust and confidence of Londoners.”
A Met Police spokeswoman said in response: “Our policing operation for this year’s Carnival was to ensure all those attending could do so safely, and enjoy the celebrations.
“In direct response to intelligence that weapons were being brought by individuals to the event, we took the decision - in consultation with the event organisers, partners and community members - to impose a section 60 order across the two days, giving officers additional powers to search people.
“Whilst thousands of people came to the streets of Notting Hill and enjoyed their weekend, eight people received stab wounds as a result of violent incidents. Officers arrested over 308 people for possession of offensive weapons including a firearm, assaults on officers and sexual offences through their proactive interventions.”
She added: “Used appropriately, stop and search powers save lives and is an important tactic to keep Londoners safe, helping us identify criminality and take dangerous weapons off our streets. We want to work with our communities, with a collaborative approach, and to ensure that we have their consent in using tactics to keep them safe."
