Thousands party at Notting Hill

Aug 30 2009

More than 200,000 revellers partied in peace at Notting Hill Carnival, with arrests on course to be well down on average.

Police had held just 39 people - mostly for drug related offences - by late evening as Europe's biggest street carnival got under way in a blaze of colour and noise. Last year there were 108 arrests on the opening day.

One man was left fighting for life after collapsing and suffering a cardiac arrest at the carnival, London Ambulance Service said.

Authorities were also launching a clamp down on noise levels amid concerns revellers' hearing could be damaged.

But news that music volumes could be taken down a notch did not put off the crowds, who swelled throughout the day to watch thousands of dancers in action.

Giant Popeye puppets and chocolate-smeared dancers joined scores of costumed masquerade artists as the streets of the west London district were transformed by brightly-coloured outfits and booming baselines.

A change to this year's event saw processions begin earlier than normal as police launched a major security operation around the event. Officers were manning a series of security rings to target known troublemakers and flush out anyone carrying guns or knives.

More than 150 people were sent letters telling them to stay away and 16 suspects have been arrested in the run-up to the event.

Officers confirmed later there had been 220,000 revellers and 39 arrests. A man with blood pouring down his face was seen being led away by police but, according to officers, there were no major disturbances.

Chris Boothman, the carnival chief, added that security was at its best ever after the event secured its biggest budget in years thanks to a new sponsorship deal. He said: "We have worked really hard with police and we are keeping our fingers crossed that everything will be ok. We have had more money this year than we have in the last five. I think the result today is a good one."