A woman attending Notting Hill Carnival has suffered “life-changing” injuries after an unknown man who told her he was “the devil” bit her in the face.
The attack took place at about 6pm on Sunday at the annual celebration, while the victim was stood talking to a group of women on Portobello Road.
The Metropolitan Police said a man approached her and said, “I’m the devil”, before leaning forward and “biting off her top lip”.
The woman, who was bleeding heavily and in shock, approached police officers, who escorted her to the nearest first aid post.
She was then taken to a west London hospital where her injuries were deemed “life-changing”.
Surgeons operated on her facial injuries but she will require further surgery in the future, police said.
“This was a horrific incident on a woman who has suffered life-changing injuries requiring extensive surgery,” said DCI Driss Hayoukane, of the Notting Hill Carnival post investigation unit.
“The man who did this is clearly a violent and dangerous individual and I am determined that we identify and apprehend him as soon as possible.”
Police described the suspect as a black man, of muscular build and with short, black hair, who was wearing a black T-shirt and said the attack took place near the junction with Holborne Road.
They are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Additional reporting by PA
