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Notting Hill Carnival sees 140 arrests as 13 are detained because of facial recognition tech

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LONDON, UK. 24th Aug, 2025. Children in elaborate costumes dance to music behind sound systems pulled along by trucks during Family Day at the Notting Hill Carnival.
Notting Hill Carnival's family day saw 140 people arrests including 13 who were detained after being identified by live facial recognition technology. Picture: Alamy

By Chay Quinn

Notting Hill Carnival saw 140 people arrested on Saturday - including 13 detained after being identified by live facial recognition technology.

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105 of the arrests took place at the Carnival itself - with 35 others coming on approaches to the celebration which has been running for over 60 years.

Two people were murdered at the carnival last year, including a popular chef and a woman attending with her three-year-old daughter.

The deaths led to renewed conversations about the safety of the event which is billed as 'Europe's Largest Party'.

Read More: Notting Hill Carnival begins with burst of colour for J'ouvert celebrations

Read More: Met arrests 100 people ahead of Notting Hill Carnival in bid to deter trouble

15 arrests on Saturday's 'Children's Day' came for assaulting police officers, with the Metropolitan Police confirming that one officer visited hospital due to a hand injury.

London, UK.  24 August 2025. A visible police presence throughout the area after costumed participants took part in the Children’s Parade on day one of Notting Hill Carnival.
Over 7,000 police officers were deployed to the west London celebration of Caribbean culture for this year's event. Picture: Alamy
London, UK. 24th Aug, 2025. Large crowds around the corner by the hill back down in to the carnival - The Sunday of the Notting Hill Carnival, traditionally children's day.
105 of the arrests took place at the Carnival itself - with 35 others coming on approaches to the celebration which has been running for over 60 years. Picture: Alamy

After 10 stabbings took place at last year's Carnival, police made 21 arrests on Saturday for possession of an offensive weapon.

52 arrests were a result of suspect drug offences, with possession of cannabis making up nearly half (25).

Robbery (2), sexual offences (4), public order offences (4) were the other reasons given by the police for arrest.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "The policing operation for the first full day of Notting Hill Carnival has moved into the dispersal phase as crowds head home from the event. A significant number of officers remain in the area to deal with any incidents.

"As of 19:45hrs, there had been 140 total arrests as part of the policing operation."

Over 7,000 police officers were deployed to the west London celebration of Caribbean culture for this year's event

The Carnival will also run tomorrow on the streets of west London.

The event led to Met Police officers carrying out “intelligence-led interventions” earlier this week.

Officers arrested 100 people, recalling 21 more to prison and seizing 11 firearms and more than 40 knives in a bid to deter any repeat of last year's violence.

The Met also confirmed at least 266 people either have police bail or probation licence conditions not to attend the carnival this weekend.