Local residents are as divided as ever as Notting Hill Carnival turns their streets into a blaze of colour and cacophony of noise over the next few days.
The Standard spoke to people living in the west London neighbourhood on the eve of this year’s huge street party.
Some raised concerns about safety issues, health hazards and disruptions, including public urination, violence and drug use during the event.
Dozens of residents flee the area during the weekend to avoid the disruption, leaving their houses boarded up or behind metal railings as protection from potential damage or break-ins.
A group of three anonymous residents who live near the Rampage sound system said: “It’s outgrown the area and it’s no longer for the community.
“It needs to go away. It is too big now and what they have done is put it in a small confined area. It’s getting dangerous.”
They added: “You have people weeing down your basement,” and stressed their concerns about public safety, after witnessing numerous acts of violence and drug use at Carnival over the years, as well as one of their neighbours passing away during the event because an ambulance was unable to reach her due to crowds blocking the vehicle’s path.
The residents also complained that their council tax goes towards funding the clean-up of streets which become littered with the rubbish of millions of attendees who come from outside the borough for Carnival.
The group of three anonymous residents called for Carnival to be held as a ticketed event in Hyde Park, or to become a small parade with steel bands in the Notting Hill area to honour the event’s roots.
These concerns come after the future of Carnival, which has taken place annually since 1966, came under threat due to funding and safety issues.
Organisers of the event commissioned a review of safety at Carnival, supported by the Metropolitan police, which found more funding would be required for measures such as crowd control and risk assessments to safely hold the event.
Kensington and Chelsea council provided £232,000 in grant funding to the Carnival, in addition to a free seaside trip for 21 older residents to avoid the disruption caused by the event at a cost of £25,618.
Despite concerns over safety and disruption caused by the event, a number of long-term residents told the Standard of the importance of the event for Notting Hill’s community and identity.
One anonymous resident who has been attending Carnival from the age of 4 said: “If you take Carnival away you take the vibe away. Without it, what’s left of the community?”
This resident said when you move to Notting Hill you should anticipate the annual disruption of Carnival as part of living in the area.
Najat El-Mesbahi, 51, a retired civil servant, said: “I am just used to having Carnival in the area. I’ve been here since 1979 and it’s part of the heritage.”
A 41-year-old Portobello Road resident, Olivier Pfanner, who works in financial services, said: “When Carnival is finished it’s an absolute mess. It stinks for about a week and there’s rubbish everywhere, but I do enjoy it.
“It’s a good opportunity to have a laugh and see all my neighbours.”
He acknowledged the disturbance the event triggers, such as causing his windows to shake due to the heavy bass of sound systems, but added he is against moving the event away from the area due to its cultural significance.
While residents remain divided about the impact of the event on their community, the Met police and Kensington and Chelsea council have raised concerns about the safety and funding for the future of Carnival.
A spokesperson for the Met Police told the Standard: “Crowd safety remains a serious concern that must be carefully monitored and managed this year.”
In a major operation before the event, police have arrested 100 people and taken dozens of weapons off the streets ahead of the Carnival this weekend.
The Met said the arrests, which have resulted in 21 people being recalled to prison, are intended to disrupt and deter people posing the greatest risk to public safety at the event.
As part of the operation, officers seized 11 firearms and more than 40 knives. Some 266 people now either have police bail or probation licence conditions not to come to Carnival this year.
Last year 61 officers were assaulted at the Carnival and the Met said they will take “decisive action” against anybody targeting officers at the event this year.
Although Kensington and Chelsea provided additional funding this year, Deputy leader Kim Taylor-Smith, said: “Notting Hill Carnival is an independent community event, which runs with support from public sector partners. Right now we are focused on this year’s event and have been preparing alongside the organiser, the police and Westminster City Council.
“Earlier in the summer organisers asked for more funding to keep participants safe, after an independent safety review. We provided this additional funding alongside our partners to enhance crowd management and safety, but this will be a one-off for this year only.
“Given the evolution of Carnival, it has grown so much since the first event on the streets of Notting Hill in 1966, we hope Government recognises its importance to the community and will lend its support for the future.”
Counsellor Johnny Thalassites, lead member for environment and planning at Kensington and Chelsea Council, said: “Our communities rightly expect their streets to be back to normal and ready for business by Tuesday morning after Carnival, and we’re very proud to deliver that year in, year out.
“It’s a major operation and I am in awe of the hard-working men and women in our waste crews who work tirelessly through the night to collect the rubbish on Sunday and Monday. The work doesn’t stop there. Over the next week we do extra jet-washing and graffiti cleaning so that the streets are back to normal, fast.”
The clean-up operation is provided by Suez, the Council’s waste partner. Although it had previously been provided through an additional variation in the primary contract, in 2021 the clean-up was integrated into the council’s primary contract, saving £1.6 million for the borough.
