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Carnival gets first dusk curfew to cut street fighting
Katharine Barney06.05.09
The Notting Hill Carnival has been given a curfew for the first time in its 45-year history to avoid a repeat of last year's violence.
Organisers of the annual event have been ordered to clear the streets by nightfall under strict conditions from Kensington and Chelsea council.
They will also be forced to turn down the music after noise levels breached the official pain threshold of 140 decibels last year.
Council bosses have cut the number of vehicles allowed in the parade to ensure an earlier finish time.
Kensington and Chelsea drew up the new rules after 50 police officers were injured in violence, with mobs throwing bricks and bottles.
A council report found the event was let down by "profound organisational failure". Stewards were being recruited only three weeks before the carnival, leaving little time for training.
This year the judging post for floats in Great Western Road must close at 6.30pm so all finish the course by dusk - deemed to be 9pm.
Refuse collection lorries and street sweepers will then be sent down the parade route to help clear crowds and begin the clean-up.
A council spokesman claimed onlookers would "automatically disperse" after the parade on 31 August stops. In previous years the judging post has stayed open until 10pm, which means the event did not finish until almost midnight. Police will not be asking people to go home but the council said an earlier start and finish time would mean the streets are clear by nightfall.
Council leader Merrick Cockell said: "We want to make Carnival 2009 a safer and more enjoyable event and hope the three proposed limits will help us to achieve this.
"The sound levels must fall so the emergency services can hear instructions and this is vital if someone needs medical attention or if there is a major incident. Equally, we don't want people left with permanent damage to their hearing.
"The event must be completed before dark as violence tends to peak at nightfall."
At the August bank holiday festival vehicles will start at 10am, compared with a 12.50pm starting time in 2007 and 10.45am last year.
There will also be a limit on the number of floats to 125 - an estimate of the number which can complete the route by nightfall. Last year 135 had gone past the judging point by 9pm. And a noise limit of 135 decibels will be imposed.
Organisers have promised to meet the demands which have been discussed over the past few months.
However, they are yet to sign a final agreement to allow Kensington and Chelsea to close the roads.
Michael Williams, director of London Notting Hill Carnival Limited, said: "We have had lots of discussions and they are mostly satisfied. It is going to be business as usual."
The carnival started in 1964 as a celebration of the abolition of the slave trade and London's Caribbean heritage. However, in 1976 and several subsequent years, it was marred by fights, predominantly between Caribbean youths and police due to the harassment to which the population felt they were exposed.
Last year officers came under attack in Ladbroke Grove, near the Westway and Cambridge Gardens.
A spokeswoman for the Met said they were aware of the new conditions and supported them.
* Stokefest, the free music festival held in Clissold Park since 2001, will not go ahead this year. Some 80,000 people tried to attend the 15,000-capacity event last summer, forcing organisers to shut the gates. Hackney council says it cannot raise £40,000 for a fence.
Reader views (42)
all these negative insults on the carnival.. the caribbean people that attebd this glourious event does not promote violence.. its the britsh ruff neck pickney that come out at 4-5 in the evening start their rubbish.. carnival is about music food and good vibes!!.. the curfew is a good think but will it stop the riff raff coming in and startin their drama!
- Guyanese Carnivaling Lady, west london
The Word Curfew the sort of language used that actually reveals exactly what the authorities think about the Black Community. Curfew. This is the language being used in Iran or Zimbabwe to oppress it's peoples.
I remember going to Carnival some years back with an old army friend of mine, who was now a policeman. He said at the time he, a white man, felt intimedated by the presence of the police, most of whom were there for their overtime pay and a fight, none had the slightest interest in the people attending or what the event was about. It was deemed a "Potential Riot" .
The Stat's bear out you are far less likely to get in any sort of bother at the Carnival than if you went to Reading or Glastonbury music festival, per capita these events have a higher offending rate in terms of distrubanace and drug use.
- Peter, London
Dear Kate, Pippa, Molly, Sebastian, Lulu, Raf and Ranulph (you get the picture).
When I visit your home counties do I whinge about the lack of diversity? Do I rant at the Ms Marple's, constantly reminding us of the days gone? Do I gripe when you remind me about your black friend who was once actually 'alright'? No I don't.
The gist of this comment is that the WMC's with their insipid voiceless obeservations are great at one thing: lodging 'official' complaints (usually at the non-derving,sorry I mean the less politically powerful i.e; carnival).
Bravo- well done. Great being a pencil pushing bully isn't it. Why not point the finger at those doing you a REAL disservice...yes your WMC banking counterparts who stich up all and sundry...Oh but they're not your 'other' are they. Oh and the 'residents' who 'have to' board up their houses -are you the same people who meet a chap of colour and suddenly can't give eye contact? Or perhaps you're the vapid non entities who cross the road if there's a brown/black chap there (just in case).I bet you guys are scared of your cocopops. Get lost and i'll see you in the Cotswolds.
- Frank Starling, London
Do you want to know something, I can't believe how digusting some of you are being about carnival. NO!!!!! CARNIVAL SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN BANNED YEARS AGO!!! How dare you even think that way in the first place. Carnival simbolises our freedom and if you guys try and take that away, then it just shows how multi-cultural you really are.
And to those people who STUPIDLY moved into an area with such a festival happening every year ........YOU ARE A STUPID BUNCH. STOP COMPLAINING AND JUST MOVE OUT AND GIVE US ALL A BLOODY BREAK!!!!!!!
- Janeene, London
Why is that when someevent is held in London that have black people written all over it the government puts a block on it, when other culturals have there events the government do not have much hand in their business. We are inviting the world to come to London to enjoy something that means a lot to some black people of this country, this is our history and we want to share it to the world.
The government say you should embrace other peoples culture but when its comes to the black no one should embrace ours how selfish is that. Trouble is everywhere in the world and in every event but do you hear that the government is putting a curfew on them. Football do not have a curfew, St patrick's day do not have a curfew Indina festival do not have a curfew, the Chinese New Year do not have a curfew so please someone explain to me why we have to have one.
i will never understand the minds of people We as a nation put in power.
Carnicval is an enjoyment it attracts many vistirs to this country every year some people come over to ply Mas with some bads why spoil it for other.
- Irene, Surrey
It brings me joy that the carnival is able to so antagonise Notting Hill's nouveau-riche - there are 51 other weekends in the year when they can sit watching TV with their curtains drawn closed. If you've moved to a new neighbourhood, learn to adapt to it's local culture, don't expect it to adapt to you.
- Jim Hart, Utrecht, Netherlands
Around 2 million people turn up at the carnival every year? The UK has about 60 million people in all. Not a lot of people come then.
In my country, we have yearly carnivals that have been going on for over 20 years. Not one has started and ended in violence. Why does that happen at the Notting Hill carnival I wonder?
- Cathy, South East Europe
for all the years I've attending carnival and read about it in the paper nothing good is said about it negative think about what the carnivalis doing for london generating money for the capital people from miles away attend the carnival.
Carnivalis for everyone to come and enjoy instead of bad mouthing the event why dont we work together as a community to make it enjoyable.
Stopipng the carnival is not the answer
- Emma, London
You bunch of moaners, it looks like most of you have never been to carnival and are totally clueless about it. Its just as ridiculous as me complaining about football matches even though ive never been.
If carnival isn't part of English culture please explain why nearly two million people attend every year. Do you know of any other 'English' events that attract that number of people? There are only two million black people in this country and believe me we don't all tur up at carnival, which is visited by more non 'afro-caribs' than 'afro-caribs'. As for the new found 'residents of Notting Hill' who can't stand carnival why be so thick enough to move into an area which has had carnival for nearly 50 [FIFTY] years and then try to complain about it, when its been there before you moved in and since 1964? Who would be stupid enough to live along the River Thames if they hated water??? Carnival is great and is a great cultural celebration. It brings tourists into London from other parts of the Uk and all over the world. Start enjoying life instead of being miserable. The only issue I have about carnival is the police not being authoritive enough in stopping these steaming gangs from ruining the good spirit of the streets. They ruin it for everyone, including carnival's reputation. LONG LIVE CARNIVAL!
- Vidal, London
Its such a shame that such a beautiful festival has to end up like this, when only a few little prats spoil it for people who want to enjoy the festival. if those so call leaders out there was letting it known that what those kids are doing is wrong, instead of blaming the police, this would not have happen i see kids who have no interest in enjoying carnival coming there and making trouble, and the next day it the police that get the blame, and the little i don't know what to call them laugh their heads off, So when the carnival is stopped for good they will still say its the police and not their badly brought up kids, one thing i love carnival and i will travel to the ends of the earth to see it, and i can go home to my country which is more than i can say for those who want to spoil it for others
boney
- Mac, London
To all those above who spew negativity on the carnival like an erupting mount helena spewing out all her deadly and poisonous gases. if you you did your home work on metropolitan police crowd control you will find that for its size "1 million + people" the Notting Hill Carnival is one of the safest crowd gathering in the world. The Metropolitan Police do an excellent job and always learn as they go along. One fact remains;
THEY WILL NEVER AND CAN NEVER EVER STOP THIS CARNIVAL. So all those who appose it, you can exercise your democratic right of; FREEDOM OF CHOICE and don't go. I believe it's people with your own mentality who hate to see people coming together and enjoying themselves, you are just like the steamers, muggers and rioters, you guys just can't help it, so the majority of us will keep on coming together and sharing each others culture in this wonderful cultural beautiful city called LONDON.
- Wayne, London, England
"If there’s no crime, the carnival barely gets a mention"
If there is ever a year without stabbings and muggings I am sure it will be noted, but hardly likely to happen eh?
- Lee, London
When we lived in the area, me and my sister only experienced one so-called "Carnival". After that, whenever the "Festival of Noise, Rubbish and Criminality", as we called it was on, we boarded up the place and went on holiday that week.
- Kate, London
I went to the Notting Hill carnival once and it was the most disgusting experience of my life. I cannot see any reason for holding the thing whatosever.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx
We all know the steaming gangs will oppose this and force the police to allow the caenival to continue well into the night
- Keith Price, Luton, England
I’m really disappointed by the negative comments always being spewed on the carnival. So much for the multi-cultural London we hear so much about or is this only reserved for bid proposals? My, how the reality differs?
The only news we ever hear about the carnival is about crime. If there’s no crime, the carnival barely gets a mention. Perhaps, we need to hear more about the range of people both nationally and internationally who come to the carnival, the revenue generated by hotels, shops, etc., the local authority and the community in comparison to the minimal grant funding the carnival receives and the creative work that turns the streets of Notting Hill into a splendour each year maybe then we’ll be a lot less dismissive.
It’s so typical, when the press criticise, we’re all to ready to condemn.
- Norma, London
The Notting hill crime festival has a curfew, finally common some common sense!
- Nack Nack Paddy Mac, kilburn, London UK
Of course, any real criticism of this event will be regarded as 'racist' by the usual suspects - who will ignore the valid concerns of local residents and road-users about the crime, noise and expense, which are associated with the event every year.
- Lickyalips, Richmond, Surrey
I thought that it already finished at 9pm. There are always going to be a small minority of people who go there just to cause trouble. I don't go anymore because it's too crowded but I don't think it should be banned.
- Gee, London
You are a miserable, boring lot aren't you? I'm from London and I like the carnival, bet you's lot like spending your Bank Holidays in Homebase!
- Natty, London
Sounds like some have sour grapes about the carnival, Kelly and Lo, sounds like you never been to it???
Why should people be punished for some thugs who spoil it for others. No one says anything abiout english when they go abroad, about them being banned for holidays and getting drunk...any comparisons??
- Adrian, london
I am not sure Carnival is the correct term to use is it?
How about the Crime Festival?
Or Muggers March?
Drug Dealers Deluge?
Well you get the idea!
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
yes .... ban the thing altogether...long overdue.
- Rosie, watford
Mainly free entertainment for very expensive London. No wonder it is well attended by all the riffraff.
- Peter Noterfed, Paris, France
Has anyone considered the fact that the more you try to control something the less controllable it is - especially crowds. Maybe thats this issue?
- Karlmarx, W2, London
This is a good move. It draws a very clear 'line in the sand'
Just because you want to do something doesn't mean you should
- Not Exactly A Looney Lefty!, The real world
They seem to be taking into the account the people who don't want to be part of this event and in my opinion this should have happened before now.
- Mike M, Bedford England
Should have been ended years ago and would have been had it not been for the PC appeasers. Hold it in the West Indies in future. I suspect the police there will be a lot tougher.
- Fred, Horsham
As someone that lives in the area and had the violence outside their flat I can only agree. There are too many people on facilities which leads congestion and general public urination. The whole area stinks of it for a week afterwards. Its all about commercial drum and bass music and has long since stopped being about West Indian culture sadly. Personally I will be out of town for it this year, resisdents have to board up their houses for a weekend in what is a generally peaceful area which is sad.
- James, Notting Hill
I cannot wait for this horrible violent event to be stopped but sadly I doubt that will be soon. If any Government or Police chiefs tried to say anything bad about this event they will be labeled racist.
Best thing is for anyone with a brain to stay well clear of this war zone.
- Kelly, London
Sensible suggestion. The streets around Notting Hill can no longer cope with the crowds the carnival attracts these days, when Ken suggested the route change to end in one of the London parks to allow crowds to space out, he was turned down. Ending the carnival at nightfall will hopefully start to make life bearable again for residents.
- Mcw, London
When my friends and I first came to London in the late 1960s our dear mothers begged us to come home for the Bank Holiday weekend to avoid it - and we did! I agree with the comments above - what is the point in it; it is irrelevant to English life.
- Lo, London, England
EDITED by admin @ 1.01pm on May 6 2009
Religious/Racial
- David., Chertsey.UK.
Thanks Jim; I don't want to miss it again this year.
The floats are not worth going to see; and the music is rubbish; but the riots are well worth seeing.
- Mickyinlondon, london
haha, how on earth are the PC obsessed namby pamby met going to enforce that? Give everyone an ASBO?
- Liam, Harrow
Chill out bruv, skin up and chillllaaaaaax!
- Barbarella, West London
Why don't they just scrap it. It is clear a hardcore of Afro-Caribbean's cannot behave in a non-violent manner so until they learn to do so the right for this crime fest to proceed should be withdrawn.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
To Mickyinlondon, No at 5 to, just to surprise the police.
- Jim, London
I don't know a single real Londoner who goes anywhere near that gathering of steamer muggers and other assorted lowlife.
- Undercover Elephant, London
Why do we have to have this carnival at all?
- Richard, Welling
So the riots start at 9pm then?
- Mickyinlondon, london
Good luck enforcing that.
- Ranter, MAidstone, UK
