85 people arrested on first day of UK Caribbean festival: Met police

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
28 Aug 2023 15:42

Notting Hill Carnival is a street festival that takes place yearly on the last weekend of August to honor the culture, arts, and heritage of the Caribbean people.

A band practices ahead of the parade during the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Monday, Aug. 27, 2018 (AP)

The Metropolitan Police Service released a statement confirming that its officers arrested 85 people on the first day of the Caribbean carnival kick-off in London's district of Notting Hill, but no serious incidents were registered.

"As of 21:30 on Sunday [20:30 GMT], there had been 85 arrests," the statement read, adding that most arrests were made for possession of weapons, drugs, or sexual assaults.

Notting Hill Carnival is a street festival that takes place yearly on the last weekend of August to honor the culture, arts, and heritage of the Caribbean people.

Ade Adelekan, a deputy assistant commissioner and the head of the operation for Notting Hill Carnival was cited in the statement as saying: "As ever we saw very large crowds who made their way from across London and beyond ... Our officers will respond decisively where this takes place which is evident from the 85 arrests made thus far".

Simultaneously, he noted that the number of arrests was "broadly consistent" with the number that police already expected to have on the first day of the carnival and expressed that due to security operations and precautions, no serious injuries or incidents occurred on the first day.

Fresh system breach

London's Metropolitan Police Force announced on Sunday that it has implemented security measures in response to an alarming "unauthorized access to the IT system of one of its suppliers."

The breach involved sensitive information, including the names, ranks, photos, vetting levels, and pay numbers of officers and staff members. The compromised company, responsible for printing identity cards and staff passes for the UK's largest police force, is working closely with law enforcement to evaluate the extent of the compromised data.

The incident has ignited fresh concerns regarding the security of sensitive police information. The Metropolitan Police Federation, a representative body for rank-and-file officers, expressed deep concerns and outrage.