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Notting Hill Carnival crowds defy bank holiday rain | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Crowds have started arriving at the Notting Hill carnival on its second day, braving wet conditions in west London. | |
The annual celebration, believed to be Europe's biggest street party, is expected to be marred by poor weather for its finale. | The annual celebration, believed to be Europe's biggest street party, is expected to be marred by poor weather for its finale. |
The Metropolitan Police are deploying 7,000 officers for Monday's events. | |
The figure is about 1,000 more than Sunday and represents one of the Met's most complex operations of the year. | |
Sunday, which is traditionally billed as children's day, saw thousands of dancers and musicians parade through the streets alongside floats. | Sunday, which is traditionally billed as children's day, saw thousands of dancers and musicians parade through the streets alongside floats. |
But the poor weather on Monday affected turnout on Ladbroke Grove along the parade route. | |
BBC London reporter Elaine Okyere said: "It's definitely quieter but the performers are still giving it their all despite the rain. | BBC London reporter Elaine Okyere said: "It's definitely quieter but the performers are still giving it their all despite the rain. |
"One resident Silvia said she'd never seen Ladbroke grove this quiet on a carnival Monday, but she told me despite the rain the party will go on. " | |
The opening day saw 95 arrests for a variety of offences by 21:00 BST. | The opening day saw 95 arrests for a variety of offences by 21:00 BST. |
Among those were 35 arrests over drugs, 10 for common assault and five for possession of weapons. | Among those were 35 arrests over drugs, 10 for common assault and five for possession of weapons. |
Ch Supt Robyn Williams said the force's priority was to "facilitate a safe and vibrant carnival". | Ch Supt Robyn Williams said the force's priority was to "facilitate a safe and vibrant carnival". |
"Carnival very much presents us with two extremes; those who want to enjoy the sound systems, cuisine and have a good time and those who use it as an opportunity to commit crime," she said. | "Carnival very much presents us with two extremes; those who want to enjoy the sound systems, cuisine and have a good time and those who use it as an opportunity to commit crime," she said. |
Organisers say this year is part of the build-up to the event's 50th anniversary. | Organisers say this year is part of the build-up to the event's 50th anniversary. |
The Notting Hill Carnival Enterprises Trust said some people thought the first carnival took place in 1964, but others argue a street parade took place the following year. | The Notting Hill Carnival Enterprises Trust said some people thought the first carnival took place in 1964, but others argue a street parade took place the following year. |
However, the trust said there was documentary evidence that showed the first event with performers, costumes, music and placards took place in 1966. | |
This year's event pays tribute to the steel pan, the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, which has been a significant feature of the carnival from 1964 until the present day. | This year's event pays tribute to the steel pan, the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, which has been a significant feature of the carnival from 1964 until the present day. |