Notting Hill Carnival: Police officers 'dread' the event Published duration 30 August 2016 Related Topics Notting Hill Carnival

image copyright Jonathan Brady image caption The Met Police reported 454 arrests at Notting Hill Carnival

Some police officers "dread" the Notting Hill Carnival and are being used as "professional punchbags", according to rank-and-file officers.

They have called for a "full-scale review" of Carnival after eight of them were hurt and taken to hospital.

Police made 454 arrests and four people were wounded in stabbings during the annual celebration.

Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said the event was being "hijacked" by troublemakers.

'Bank Holiday battleground'

He said: "Last year we had an officer stabbed. This year colleagues were assaulted, abused and spat at. Forty-three were injured - with eight needing hospital treatment. How can that be right? It's completely and utterly unacceptable.

media caption Metropolitan Police Federation calls for review into Notting Hill Carnival

"A seemingly growing number of people appear intent on hijacking this Carnival and turning it into a Bank Holiday battleground. The Glastonbury music festival had 40 arrests this year. Notting Hill had 10 times that amount.

"The organisers need to understand that this event cannot carry on regardless. I think many Londoners will wonder whether the significant amount of taxpayers' money spent policing this event is frankly worth it."

A 15-year-old boy was stabbed in Wornington Road on Sunday. His injuries were critical but are now non-life threatening. A 14-year-old boy was arrested.

image copyright Isabel Infantes image caption The carnival is one of Europe's largest street parties with hundreds of thousands attending each year

Three other males, aged 15 to 20, were also wounded in knife attacks on the opening day of the festival.

More than 400 people were arrested at Carnival, the highest since 2008. Police said they had seized 90 offensive weapons while patrolling the event.

Officers also seized a large canister of compressed nitrous oxide - so-called laughing gas - which had the capacity to fill 2,500 smaller canisters and had a street value of more than £150,000.

Ambulance and first aid crews treated more than 1,000 people, mostly for alcohol-related injuries.

A spokesperson for the London Mayor said his office would work to tackle gang and knife crime, and City Hall would "thoroughly review" the Carnival.

Kensington MP Victoria Borwick said she was "very disappointed that people want to spoil the carnival by using it as a cover to commit crime and inflict terrible injuries".

The carnival is one of Europe's largest street parties with hundreds of thousands attending each year.

It has been held since 1964 as a way for Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate cultures and traditions.

image copyright PA image caption The family day is held on the opening day of the two-day festival