Pre-Notting Hill Carnival Operation Underway

A four-week crackdown on troublemakers begins today as the Met Police get ready for trouble-makers ahead of this year's Notting Hill Carnival.

They said that the eyes of the world turn to west London over the August bank holiday weekend and the Met works hard throughout the year to ensure carnival is not marred by crime.

Operation Razorback now begins targeting known troublemakers and gangs who plan to use carnival purely as a venue for violence and criminal activity.

Using carefully gathered intelligence, officers will use the next four weeks in the run up to carnival to disrupt those planning trouble and disorder.

And over the bank holiday weekend itself there will be a multi-layered policing approach designed to stop those intent on causing trouble getting anywhere near carnival.

All entrances to the carnival site will have search points to prevent weapons being taken into the event. There will also be a special focus this year on cracking down on pickpockets.

Chief Inspector Jo Edwards said: "The Met's message is a clear and simple one - come to carnival to have fun and enjoy this wonderful cultural experience, but don't come to cause trouble.

"More than a million visitors went to carnival last year, but there was no serious disorder and there were no firearms incidents for the third year in a row. We work with the community and partners carefully planning throughout the year, so there are no surprises for anyone.

"Operation Razorback is a highly sophisticated and detailed operation aimed at ensuring those who set out with the sole intention of causing trouble at carnival will not succeed.

"Our officers working both prior and during carnival are professional and multi- skilled and many have years of experience policing the event.

"While carnival is open to all, we would advise dog owners to leave their animals at home - dogs and carnival do not mix, it's not fair on the dogs or carnival-goers," she said.

"So come to carnival and enjoy everything it has to offer, but we'd like to see visitors and officers go home safe and sound."

Director of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd Ancil Barclay added: "We are pleased to be working closely with the police to make sure this year's Carnival is safer than ever.

"The message is very clear - Carnival is a fun day out and a fantastic tradition but any violence or anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated."

(BMcC/GK)