Police arrested more 330 people with incidents at the Notting Hill Carnival over the weekend as a mother was among three left fighting for her life after a stabbing.
There was violence across the two-day event with more than 40 arrests for assaults on emergency workers. 35 police officers were injured.Eight people suffered stab wounds while one person was allegedly attacked with a corrosive substance.
The mother, 32, was stabbed on Sunday which is the ‘family day’ at the event and she was reportedly with her young child when she was attacked.
She remains in a critical condition in hospital. Two others stabbed on Monday also suffered life-threatening injuries.
A 24-year-old man was stabbed and was left with non-life threatening injuries. He has discharged himself from hospital, Scotland Yard said.
Officers made 104 arrests were made on Sunday, 18 for possession of an offensive weapon.
Another 230 arrests were made on Monday with the majority for possession of an offensive weapon, possession of class B drugs and assaults on emergency workers.
Others were detained on suspicion of sexual offences and theft on the biggest day of carnival where up to a million revellers were on the streets in west London.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan of the violence: “We saw the first day of Carnival marred by unacceptable violence. Three people were stabbed and we only very narrowly avoided a fatality.
“This was supposed to be 'family day' – a celebration suitable for all ages. One of those in hospital, a 32-year-old woman whose condition remains critical, was at Carnival with her young child.
“We are tired of saying the same words every year. We are tired of telling families that their loved ones are seriously injured, or worse. We are tired of seeing crime scenes at Carnival.
“Carnival is a community event and the vast majority of people come to celebrate, to dance, to enjoy music and have a fantastic experience.
“It is the responsibility of all who value this event, who want to see it as the celebration it should be, to speak out and speak up about the violence that continues to overshadow it.”
Around 7,000 officers were deployed over the event.
A section 60 order was imposed on Sunday giving police extra stop and search powers over a limited period.
There were eight stabbings and 275 arrests at the 2023 event.
