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Notting Hill Carnival under way Crowds join carnival celebrations
(40 minutes later)
Revellers have descended on west London for the Notting Hill Carnival. Hundreds of thousands of revellers have taken to the streets of west London for the Notting Hill Carnival.
Costumed masquerade artists are joining steel bands to perform along the three-and-a-half mile route through west London on Sunday and Monday. Giant Popeye puppets and chocolate-smeared dancers joined scores of costumed masquerade artists to perform along the three-and-a-half mile route.
This year, the procession began at the earlier time of 0900 BST with a children's parade. The celebrations are due to end at 1830 BST. About 1.5 million people are expected to attend the carnival, billed as Europe's biggest street party, over the next two days.
About 1.5 million people are expected to join the carnival, billed Europe's biggest street party, over two days. The carnival's main procession takes place on Monday.
Almost 40 static sound systems will offer music including traditional soca or calypso, as well as reggae, hip-hop jazz, soul, house and garage. Sarah Manners, 29, from Brixton in south London, took part in the parade with her seven-year-old daughter, Shamira.
There are also hundreds of exotic food and drink stalls providing a variety of tastes, including food from the Caribbean, China, Thailand and Nigeria. Ms Manners said: "There has been a little bit of drizzle but the vibe here as is as good as ever.
Screening wands "It's nice to be here with my daughter for the first time."
Chris Boothman, the event's lead director, said: "Notting Hill Carnival is essentially an event that is designed to bring people of different backgrounds together in celebration of Caribbean culture. We have worked really hard with police and we are keeping our fingers crossed that everything will be ok Chris Boothman, carnival chief
"The event has huge international appeal and plays a crucial role in celebrating London's diversity and attracting visitors to our great capital city." Revellers are enjoying the sound of steelpan bands, as well as almost 40 static sound systems playing music including traditional soca or calypso, reggae, hip-hop jazz, soul, house and garage.
London's mayor Boris Johnson encouraged revellers to arrive early to enjoy the "colourful floats and the sounds of the massed bands and steel pans". There are also hundreds of exotic food and drink stalls.
"The historic event highlights the best of Caribbean culture and the contribution that Caribbean Londoners have made," he said. Ruth Thomsett, one of the carnival's organisers, said: "You've got the food, you've got food from all the islands, as well as African and Chinese food, Greek and Moroccan.
In addition to the time change, there will also be efforts to ensure the agreed noise level of 135 decibels is adhered to. "What a chance to come and have a really good feast."
Thousands of Metropolitan Police officers will be on duty. Police, who had made several arrests in the week building up to the event, said celebrations had got off to a peaceful start, with only five people arrested at the carnival so far.
Stop and search measures will be in use, along with screening wands to check for concealed weapons and technology to recognise number plates. The carnival is a celebration of Caribbean culture
Officers from the Met's new Status Dogs Unit will be staging an operation to seize suspected dangerous dogs. Chris Boothman, the carnival chief, said security was at its best ever after the event secured its biggest budget in years thanks to a new sponsorship deal.
"We have worked really hard with police and we are keeping our fingers crossed that everything will be okay.
"We have had more money this year than we have in the last five. I think the result today is a good one."
Thousands of Metropolitan Police officers are on duty at the carnival.
Officers have also been carrying out regular stop-and-search operations in an effort to disrupt gang activity.
All are currently in custody at various London police stations, except the 31-year-old who has been released with no further action.
This year, the procession began at the earlier time of 0900 BST with a children's parade. Sunday's and Monday's celebrations are due to at 1830 BST.
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