BORIS JOHNSON has laid down the law to Notting Hill Carnival goers just three days before the annual event in west London, likely to be attended by up to one million people.
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“It is going to be robustly policed,” said the Mayor of London. “That is the key thing.”
In the wake of the riots that affected many parts of London a fortnight ago, there were calls for the Notting Hill Carnival to be called off.
Johnson hinted that he considered such a draconian measure, but decided to go ahead on the basis that any ban would be ignored.
“Even if I were to issue a fatwa to say the carnival cannot take place, that would not stop people wanting to celebrate on the streets of west London,” he said.
As part of the “robust” police effort, officers have already arrested 40 people suspected of being likely to cause trouble at the carnival.
“To those who want to come and corrupt this magnificent event I would say you are not welcome,” said the Met’s Commander Steve Rodhouse.
“The Metropolitan police will do everything in our power to make it as hard as possible for you.”
Police are to deploy 6,000 officers at the carnival, more than ever before, will have beefed up stop and search powers and have persuaded carnival organisers to close proceedings an hour earlier than usual.
