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Four men have been stabbed on the first day of Notting Hill Carnival, with one victim left fighting for his life in hospital.

The man was knifed in Wornington Road just before 4.30pm today, police said.

He was rushed to hospital, where his condition is described as critical.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said a man had been arrested on suspicion of GBH in relation to the incident.

Just minutes later a second stabbing took place on Portobello Road, at the junction with Munro Mews.

Police said the victim was taken to hospital, and officers were awaiting an update as to the extent of his injuries.

The violence continued with a double stabbing in Ladbroke Grove, at its junction with Treverton Street, which happened just after 5pm.

Police said two men were taken to hospital suffering from stab wounds, and officers were awaiting an update on their condition.

By 7pm today, on what is known as the carnival's "Children's Day", police had arrested 71 people, and seized 20 knives.

Police said some suspects had been detained for more than one offence, with 50 drug arrests having been made, and 20 people detained for carrying knives.

Notting Hill Carnival 2016 - In pictures 18 show all Notting Hill Carnival 2016 - In pictures 1/18 Street festival: Thousands of people headed to Notting Hill for the second day of the carnival Getty 2/18 Snap: Performers in identical blue outfits pose for the cameras Getty 3/18 Big turnout: Hundreds lined the streets for the procession Getty 4/18 Caribbean culture: A woman dances her way down the street in the final day of the carnival Getty 5/18 Festival of colour: A performer dances in front of the crowds during the Grande Finale on Monday PA 6/18 Drummers filled the streets as Monday's event got into full swing PA 7/18 Police presence is high following complaints about security last year PA 8/18 Revellers take part in the Children's Day parade after a paint fight party EPA 9/18 Revellers take part in the Children's Day parade EPA/WILL OLIVER 10/18 Dancers perform during the Children's Day parade Isabel Infantes/PA Wire 11/18 Revellers take part in the Children's Day parade after a paint fight party EPA/WILL OLIVER 12/18 Dancers perform during the Children's Day parade Isabel Infantes/PA Wire 13/18 Dancers perform during the Children's Day parade Isabel Infantes/PA Wire 14/18 Revellers enjoy the Notting Hill Carnival after joining a paint fight party in the early morning Isabel Infantes/PA Wire 15/18 Performers dressed in flamboyant costumes for the Children's Day parade EPA/WILL OLIVER 16/18 Dancers perform during the Children's Day parade Isabel Infantes/PA Wire 17/18 Police Officers during the Children's Day parade Isabel Infantes/PA Wire 18/18 Revellers enjoy a paint fight party Isabel Infantes/PA Wire 1/18 Street festival: Thousands of people headed to Notting Hill for the second day of the carnival Getty 2/18 Snap: Performers in identical blue outfits pose for the cameras Getty 3/18 Big turnout: Hundreds lined the streets for the procession Getty 4/18 Caribbean culture: A woman dances her way down the street in the final day of the carnival Getty 5/18 Festival of colour: A performer dances in front of the crowds during the Grande Finale on Monday PA 6/18 Drummers filled the streets as Monday's event got into full swing PA 7/18 Police presence is high following complaints about security last year PA 8/18 Revellers take part in the Children's Day parade after a paint fight party EPA 9/18 Revellers take part in the Children's Day parade EPA/WILL OLIVER 10/18 Dancers perform during the Children's Day parade Isabel Infantes/PA Wire 11/18 Revellers take part in the Children's Day parade after a paint fight party EPA/WILL OLIVER 12/18 Dancers perform during the Children's Day parade Isabel Infantes/PA Wire 13/18 Dancers perform during the Children's Day parade Isabel Infantes/PA Wire 14/18 Revellers enjoy the Notting Hill Carnival after joining a paint fight party in the early morning Isabel Infantes/PA Wire 15/18 Performers dressed in flamboyant costumes for the Children's Day parade EPA/WILL OLIVER 16/18 Dancers perform during the Children's Day parade Isabel Infantes/PA Wire 17/18 Police Officers during the Children's Day parade Isabel Infantes/PA Wire 18/18 Revellers enjoy a paint fight party Isabel Infantes/PA Wire

Three people had also been arrested during the celebrations for public order offences, one person for going equipped for theft, and two people had been detained on suspicion of sexual offences.

Police had also made two arrests for GBH, four for ABH, and eight for other unspecified offences.

London Ambulance said staff on duty had treated 345 patients by 8.45pm, including the four stab victims, with 43 patients taken to hospital.

The service tweeted a picture of paramedics setting up extra beds along the street as its treatment centre got busier into the evening.

Thousands of other partygoers avoided the violence, and flocked to enjoy the carnival in a surge of colour and music.

More than a million visitors were expected to attend the celebrations today, the day dedicated to children and families.

Children in fancy dress and face paint claimed the best view of the parade by sitting on parents' shoulders, and some even joined the dancers following the parade floats.

Annuar Aziz, a businessman from Malaysia, stumbled upon the event by accident with his wife and four young children while on holiday.

He said: "It's excellent. We are loving the free spirit of everyone and we have all been dancing.

"We didn't even know it was happening," Mr Aziz, 41 explained.

"We just arrived to London after visiting the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh.

"We heard the music from where we are staying in Bayswater and just followed the sound."

At least 60 bands will perform and 38 sound systems will be in place over the two-day event, which continues over the bank holiday.

It will end with its Grand Finale day on Monday.

There is a heavy police presence in place as the Met has introduced advanced security measures, including a facial recognition system.

The "super-recognisers" will be inside a CCTV control room seeking out both offenders committing crimes and anyone with bail conditions which ought to stop them from attending the event.

It is one of a number of measures the Met will be taking to ensure visitors from all over the country can stay safe and enjoy themselves during the carnival, which is marking its 50th anniversary year.

The Carnival, celebrating Caribbean culture in London, was first held in the 1960s and now attracts visitors from all over the world.