This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7578840.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Notting Hill Carnival under way | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's biggest street party which showcases Caribbean culture, has descended on the streets of west London. | Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's biggest street party which showcases Caribbean culture, has descended on the streets of west London. |
| More than 750,000 people are expected during the two-day event, which begins with a children's parade later. | More than 750,000 people are expected during the two-day event, which begins with a children's parade later. |
| The 44th carnival's theme, Welcoming the World, is in keeping with the Olympic handover ceremony in Beijing. | The 44th carnival's theme, Welcoming the World, is in keeping with the Olympic handover ceremony in Beijing. |
| Police have installed metal detectors on the three-mile route to try to stop the carrying of guns and knives. | Police have installed metal detectors on the three-mile route to try to stop the carrying of guns and knives. |
| Click here to see the Notting Hill Carnival route | Click here to see the Notting Hill Carnival route |
| Officers will also be on the lookout for dangerous dogs after concerns were raised by organisers last year. | Officers will also be on the lookout for dangerous dogs after concerns were raised by organisers last year. |
| Officers have seized a pit-bull terrier and arrested nine people following the Metropolitan Police's pre-Carnival intelligence operation. | |
| The arrests relate to offences including possession of a firearm, assault on police, theft, breach of bail and drugs offences. | |
| Giant screen | Giant screen |
| About 64 masquerade, or Mas, bands and 38 sound systems will reverberate at the event throughout the Bank Holiday weekend. | About 64 masquerade, or Mas, bands and 38 sound systems will reverberate at the event throughout the Bank Holiday weekend. |
| The carnival also is a celebration of London's ethnic cuisine with 300 stalls serving staple Caribbean fare such as jerk chicken, fried fish, curry goat and Jamaican patties. | The carnival also is a celebration of London's ethnic cuisine with 300 stalls serving staple Caribbean fare such as jerk chicken, fried fish, curry goat and Jamaican patties. |
| Sunday is children's day at the carnival - J'ouvert - which will see thousands of youngsters parade down the streets in colourful costumes dancing to the beats of steel bands. | Sunday is children's day at the carnival - J'ouvert - which will see thousands of youngsters parade down the streets in colourful costumes dancing to the beats of steel bands. |
| Food consumed at carnival 5 ton chicken1 ton rice & peas1 ton Jamaican patties30,000 corn cobs15,000 fried plantains12,000 mangoes16,000 coconuts5m hot and cold drinks10,000 litres of Jamaican stout25,000 bottles of rum70,000 litres of carrot juice | Food consumed at carnival 5 ton chicken1 ton rice & peas1 ton Jamaican patties30,000 corn cobs15,000 fried plantains12,000 mangoes16,000 coconuts5m hot and cold drinks10,000 litres of Jamaican stout25,000 bottles of rum70,000 litres of carrot juice |
| The procession begins at the junction of Ladbroke Grove and Kensal Road from midday onwards. | The procession begins at the junction of Ladbroke Grove and Kensal Road from midday onwards. |
| The carnival procession passes through Westbourne Grove, Chepstow Avenue, Great Western Road, Kensal Road and Ladbroke Grove, all of which have been closed to traffic since Saturday. | The carnival procession passes through Westbourne Grove, Chepstow Avenue, Great Western Road, Kensal Road and Ladbroke Grove, all of which have been closed to traffic since Saturday. |
| Buses in these areas will be diverted and Tube stations at Holland Park, Ladbroke Grove, Latimer Road, Notting Hill Gate, Royal Oak and Westbourne Park will have restrictions in place to control the crowd. | Buses in these areas will be diverted and Tube stations at Holland Park, Ladbroke Grove, Latimer Road, Notting Hill Gate, Royal Oak and Westbourne Park will have restrictions in place to control the crowd. |
| As the first day of the parade coincides with the official handover of the Olympic Games from Beijing to London, a giant screen has been installed at Pleasance Park, near Ladbroke Grove, so that revellers can watch the events from Trafalgar Square. | As the first day of the parade coincides with the official handover of the Olympic Games from Beijing to London, a giant screen has been installed at Pleasance Park, near Ladbroke Grove, so that revellers can watch the events from Trafalgar Square. |
| This year the Metropolitan Police have spent £6m to tighten security along the route. | This year the Metropolitan Police have spent £6m to tighten security along the route. |
| They have also sent 200 letters to people who might consider committing crime at the carnival warning them to stay away. | They have also sent 200 letters to people who might consider committing crime at the carnival warning them to stay away. |
| Last year several people were stabbed at night after the carnival and there were two shootings, including one where a boy aged 14 was shot in the leg. | Last year several people were stabbed at night after the carnival and there were two shootings, including one where a boy aged 14 was shot in the leg. |
| Deputy Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison said: "I would love to have a carnival where there is no crime at all. Are we going to achieve it? We will do our best." | Deputy Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison said: "I would love to have a carnival where there is no crime at all. Are we going to achieve it? We will do our best." |
| London Notting Hill Carnival Limited, the event's organiser, said the carnival would add close to £100m to the city's economy. | London Notting Hill Carnival Limited, the event's organiser, said the carnival would add close to £100m to the city's economy. |
| Click here to return | Click here to return |
| Are you going to Carnival? Are you taking part in the parade? What is your experience of Europe's biggest street party? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below. | Are you going to Carnival? Are you taking part in the parade? What is your experience of Europe's biggest street party? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below. |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |