250,000 flock to carnival

Police reported a mainly trouble free start to Europe's largest street party.

Scotland Yard said 98 arrests were made in and around the event area.

Chief Insp Jo Edwards of the Metropolitan Police said that was "slightly higher than normal".

The number of arrests had grown because police found drugs and knives on carnival goers as they entered the event, she said.

Officers were given extra powers to stop and search potential criminals in a bid to crack down on violence that has sometimes marred the street festival in recent years. They used search wands and number plate recognition technology in a £6 million operation to reduce crime and disorder.

"It's due to our proactive policing tactics," she said. "It's because of our use of stop and search and points of entry. You would expect more arrests because we're searching more people."

Some 37 of the arrests were for drug offences, six for possessing offensive weapons and eight for assault. A further 10 people who were wanted on warrants were also detained by police.

Seven pit bull type dogs were seized by officers under the Dangerous Dogs Act. And one person was arrested for an alleged immigration offence.

"It has all been going to plan and we've built on last year's success," Ms Edwards said. "It's a challenge, but for many officers policing the carnival is something different to do for two days. It's a different challenge. We want to stop the small minority from coming and spoiling it for everyone else."