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Notting Hill battle line as riot mob attacks
Elizabeth Hopkirk and Aline Nassif, Evening Standard26.08.08
Thugs fought running battles with police at the end of the Notting Hill Carnival.
A group of 40 threw missiles, bricks and bottles at officers in clashes last night that left two police officers injured.
One witness said: "It was a full-scale riot. Bottles were flying everywhere. Carnival-goers and police officers were bloodied. A policewoman was carried off unconscious. Another had a two-inch gash above his eye. He was staggering and supported by two colleagues.
"The mob weren't scared. They were running towards the police who were chanting 'one, two, three' and charging them. It was like a war zone. I haven't seen anything like it at the carnival since the early Nineties. It reminded me of the Brixton riots."
A total of 383 people were arrested over the carnival weekend and nine officers received minor injuries. More than one million people attended the event over three days.
The trouble last night began just after 8.30pm in Ladbroke Grove, forcing uniformed officers to call in riot police as the crowds rounded on them.
Chief Inspector Jo Edwards slammed the violence as "unacceptable".
She said some of the mob had been arrested but officers will be studying CCTV to pick out more trouble makers.
She said: "It is really disappointing because despite the thousands of people who came to enjoy the carnival, there was this small element who came along using the carnival and darkness as a cover to commit crime. It was completely unacceptable and unfortunately members of the public got caught up in this. It just spoiled it for everybody."
The majority of arrests over the weekend were for public order offences, carrying offensive weapons, possession of drugs and theft. One person was arrested for possession of a firearm.
The arrests were up from last year's total of 247, but Ms Edwards said: "The vast majority of reported crime was as a result of the stop and search powers we were using.
"Although we had a few assaults reported, they weren't serious."
Tougher crime-fighting measures, included the use of more metal-detector wands and arches.
In a separate incident, a teenager was beaten and stabbed and scores more injured.
The boy was chased by a gang of youths in Clifford Gardens, just yards from where City lawyer Tom ap Rhys Price, 31, was stabbed to death in a robbery two years ago.
Melissa Johnson, 18, said: "I heard people screaming and swearing so I came outside. He was lying on the ground on his back with his head on the side. There was blood all on his face."
A spokesman for the Met said the victim's injuries were serious but not life-threatening. There were no arrests.
A total of 53 people were arrested by British Transport police conducting operations at Tube stations in and around the carnival.
Officers detained 180 youths in Harleyford Road, near the Oval, who were believed to be on their way to cause trouble at the carnival.
The police bussed 151 to south London police stations where they were detained until the carnival was over.
A further seven were arrested for possession of knives or for public order offences.
Ambulance staff treated more than 300 people, taking 75 to hospital.
Police seized 21 dangerous dogs. Knives, a Taser gun, CS spray and a baseball bat were among the weapons confiscated.
The violence last night was in stark contrast to the hugely successful carnival.
Kerry Conway, 25, a teacher from Earlsfield, said: "I've really enjoyed the food and the dance. The atmosphere is electric."
Her partner John Lehanee, 25, a plumber, added: "I'll definitely be coming back next year." Lucas Fiddaman, 24, from Australia, said: "This is the best party ever. I've bumped into so many friendly people and had a laugh. The costumes were so bright and everyone was completely in awe."
Mary Nelson, 26, said: "It's a melting pot for lots of different ages and races. It's also a symbol of world-wide cultures embracing the Caribbean."
Michael Williams from organisers London Notting Hill Carnival Ltd said: "More than a million people had a great time.
"While this incident - which happened after the festivities were over and people were on their way home - is extremely disappointing, it is important that it should not overshadow what is Europe's greatest street party.
"We will be working with the police to look at exactly what happened and to prevent this happening in the future."
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