Throughout the two main days of the Notting Hill Carnival in London, a total of 528 arrests were made, of which 21 were for sexual offences—highlighting ongoing concerns over public safety at one of Europe’s largest street festivals.
Total Arrests and Breakdown of Offences
The Metropolitan Police confirmed 528 arrests were made during the Carnival weekend—200 on Sunday and 328 on Monday. Among those arrests, 21 individuals were detained for sexual offences.
Additional categories included:
- 167 arrests for drug-related offences
- 50 for possession of offensive weapons
- 4 for violence with injury
- 49 for other forms of violence
- 55 for assaults on police officers
Proactive Policing and Crowd Safety Measures
More than 7,000 officers were deployed across both days. Key strategies included the use of live facial recognition cameras, knife-filtering arches, drones, and extensive stop-and-search powers to curb potential offences before they occurred.
Authorities emphasized that these efforts contributed to a reduction in serious violence compared to previous years—even amid the high volume of attendees, estimated at around 2 million.
Why It Matters
With 21 sexual offence arrests over the course of the Carnival, safety—particularly for women and vulnerable attendees—remains a critical issue amid the festive atmosphere. The sharp focus on enhanced policing and preventive technology highlights both the strides made and the challenges that persist in maintaining a secure environment.
Scholars of objectification theory argue that the less women are socially recognized for their personhood and the more they are reduced to their bodies, the greater the risk of being treated as objects rather than human beings. At large and crowded festivals, revealing attire can intensify this distorted perception, making women more vulnerable to harassment and even violence. Campaigners emphasize that lasting change requires cultural awareness, stronger protection, and respect for human dignity.