Notting Hill Carnival arrests reach highest number for more than a decade

More than 400 people were arrested during the two-day Notting Hill Carnival as knife crime surged during the Caribbean street festival. The arrests were for a variety of offences and ranged from possession of an offensive weapon and assault to theft and drugs offences.

A total of 407 arrests were made over the weekend – the highest number of apprehensions for the event in over a decade. A police officer was also stabbed while another was bitten in two separate incidents. Of the arrests, 57 were made for possession of knives or bladed instruments.

One incident saw a police officer suffer a dislocated nose from a punch to the face as he tried to confiscate 400 canisters of laughing gas. Another violent episode saw a 19-year-old man being taken to hospital after being stabbed at around 1pm on 31 August. Three 18-year-old men were arrested in connection with the attack and will be questioned later today (1 September.)

Scotland Yard is set to review policing of the event following the number of arrests. Speaking to LBC Radio today, London Mayor Boris Johnson said that while the carnival is a "great cultural event", he is "not necessarily a massive supporter of the way it's organised".

In addition to the arrests, 21 police officers were assaulted while more than 3,500 nitrous oxide – or laughing gas – canisters valued at £17,000 ($26,000) were impounded, along with £30,000's worth of fake alcohol. Riot police were also called into action after bottles were hurled at officers near Ladbroke Grove tube station.

Over one million people are believed to have attended the event over two days despite the wet weather. The carnival was patrolled by 7,000 officers this year.