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This page contains press release 84/02, which welcomes Londoners and visitors to the Notting Hill Carnival.

Warning: This is archived material and may be out of date. The Metropolitan Police Authority has been replaced by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC).

See the MOPC website for further information.

Celebrate Carnival

84/02
21 August 2002

Welcoming Londoners and visitors to the Notting Hill Carnival, Toby Harris, Chair of the MPA said:

“Over a million people will visit the Notting Hill Carnival this weekend to take part in Europe’s biggest arts and music festival.

”For the vast majority of people it is a time to celebrate but we are concerned that everyone should be able to celebrate in safety. Carnival goers can help keep it that way by following the ‘Carnival code’ - enjoy yourselves, respect others and keep safe.

“All the agencies involved in the organisation of Carnival have been working very hard over the year to make sure the weekend is as safe as possible. For the first time ever the route has been changed to allow more room for crowds and floats and therefore less potential for overcrowding and crushing.

“Over the weekend there will be about 11,000 police officers on duty, 200 of those officers working with the floats. Crime figures fell at last year’s Carnival and the Met is aiming for still more reductions. Anyone who comes intent on causing trouble or committing crime will be dealt with swiftly and effectively.”

Help make Carnival safer for everyone by sticking to these simple guidelines:

  • Come early and enjoy yourselves – performances start at 11.00am and finish at 7.00pm;
  • Plan your journey in advance and take note of the new route this year – make sure that you have a map;
  • Sunday 25 August is Children’s Day – keep hold of your children at all times and keep pushchairs away from the busy areas;
  • If you are coming with friends, meet up before you get to Carnival, and stick together;
  • Go with the flow of the crowd not against it and don’t run out in front of floats, get too close to them or jump on them;
  • Remember that while in Notting Hill you are guests so treat the residents and their properties with respect – don’t use their gardens or walls for vantage points - you are a visitor there for 48 hours, they live there all year round;
  • Dress comfortably, don’t take valuables and make sure you keep cash and mobiles in a safe place;
  • Make Carnival safer by co-operating with police requests – work with police to help keep Carnival trouble free.

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