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Notting Hill Carnival under way 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 got under way with a children's parade.
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.
Officers will also be on the lookout for dangerous dogs after concerns were raised by organisers last year. So far, 16 people have been arrested over possession of offensive weapons, drink-driving, public order, street robbery, warrant and drugs offences.
Officers have seized three pit-bull terriers and arrested nine people over drink-driving, public order, street robbery, warrant and drugs offences. Officers are also on the lookout for dangerous dogs - and have seized three pit-bull terriers.
Nine other people were arrested in a pre-Carnival intelligence operation. Food consumed at carnival Five tons of chickenOne ton of rice & peasOne ton of 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
Giant screen Nine other people were arrested in a pre-Carnival intelligence operation launched earlier this month.
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 was children's day at the carnival - J'ouvert - with thousands of youngsters parading down the streets in colourful costumes dancing to the beats of steel bands.
Food consumed at carnival Five tons of chickenOne ton of rice & peasOne ton of 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 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.
Police officers were posted throughout the carnival route
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." Ch Insp Jo Edwards said: "We're doing all we can to bring down knife crime.
"We are really looking to find the people who carry knives. People across London are concerned about knife crime.
"We share their concerns and we are doing all we can to bring down violence."
Over the two-day carnival period up to 11,000 shifts will be worked by officers she said.
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.
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.
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