A comprehensive safety review of the Notting Hill Carnival has been demanded following revelations from the Metropolitan Police that officers had to intervene “to save life” amid dangerously high crowd densities at last year’s event.
Held over the August bank holiday, the annual celebration attracts around two million people to the streets of west London. However, concerns are mounting over the ability of organisers to manage such vast numbers safely.
The Metropolitan Police reported that during the 2024 carnival, there were over 100 spontaneous crowd-related incidents – situations that could have spiralled into disaster had police not stepped in. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist revealed that, in some cases, the crowd was so dense that revellers had to be lifted onto roadside scaffolding to avoid being crushed.
“We had to step in a number of times over the weekend to reduce the crowd density in order to save life,” Twist said. “The level of crowding was extremely concerning and could easily have led to a major casualty event.”
These statements form part of a report released by the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee, which echoes the Met’s warnings and criticises the current level of stewarding provision.
The committee has urged Mayor Sadiq Khan to immediately commission a safety review focusing on crowd density, stewarding levels, and pinch points throughout the event’s route. The report recommends setting strict guidelines for the number and deployment of stewards to ensure public safety.
Despite the urgency of the recommendations, City Hall has been granted a year to complete the review – meaning any changes would not be in place for the 2025 carnival. This delay has raised eyebrows, especially given the increasing crowds and heightened risk of a crush.
A particular area of concern is the top of Ladbroke Grove, where foot traffic bottlenecks are often observed. Assistant Commissioner Twist said crowd density is “the thing that I am always most worried about with carnival”.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, two people were murdered in incidents linked to the 2024 event. Cher Maximen, 32, was fatally stabbed while walking with her young daughter, and Mussie Imnetu, a visiting chef from Dubai, was attacked in Queensway. The Met deployed around 7,000 officers over the weekend to handle the festivities and ensure public order.
Under current arrangements, the Met is responsible for crime prevention and public order, while event organisers, Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, are charged with ensuring crowd safety through appropriate stewarding.
However, the carnival organisers have pushed back against the Met’s claims. In a statement, they said: “We do not recognise any situation in which it was required for the police to be called in to help with crowd management.”
The police committee report also highlighted a separate serious incident in which event staff failed to notify emergency services following a brutal bottle attack, leaving the victim unconscious and seriously injured.
Susan Hall, Conservative chair of the committee, voiced concern for the millions who attend the event each year.
“Notting Hill Carnival is a vital part of London’s cultural life,” she said. “But safety must come first. The Met told us a mass casualty event is a very real possibility. We can’t wait for a tragedy to occur – we must act now.”
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She added: “It’s essential that the police are able to focus on crime prevention, not compensating for gaps in stewarding.”
There has been no official suggestion yet of relocating the event from its current format as a street festival, despite persistent speculation that such a move could help ease safety concerns.
In response, the mayor’s spokesperson said: “Notting Hill Carnival is an integral part of London’s identity. An independent review is already underway, supported by City Hall, the Met, and both Kensington and Westminster councils, to ensure the event is safe and enjoyable for all.”
Carnival organisers confirmed the first phase of that review has been submitted and is being evaluated by the full partnership group, with outcomes expected to shape future planning.
As planning for the 2025 carnival begins, the spotlight now turns to whether the review will deliver actionable solutions in time – or whether another year of high-risk crowd conditions lies ahead.
