Notting Hill Carnival will entertain a million visitors

Pounding music, vibrant costumes and the smell of Caribbean food have signalled the start of Notting Hill Carnival.

West London was yesterday taken over by Europe’s biggest street festival with dancers and musicians parading through the streets joined by crowds of visitors.

More than one million people are expected to attend the Caribbean celebration.

Yesterday’s festivities were aimed at families but warm weather could draw larger crowds than expected, while rain is predicted for today.

Six thousand police officers are attending the event, which is one of the largest operations in the Metropolitan Police force’s calendar. Chief Superintendent Robyn Williams said the force’s priority is to “facilitate a safe and vibrant carnival”.

She said: “Carnival very much presents us with two extremes; those who want to enjoy the sound systems, cuisine and have a good time and those who use it as an opportunity to commit crime.”

Children’s Day will see family friendly floats make their way from Westbourne Park Underground station to Ladbroke Grove.

However, the thumping bass of the sound systems is as loud as ever.

Organisers said this year marks the first milestone in the build-up to the event’s 50th anniversary in 2016.

A number of business owners and residents have boarded up their properties in a bid to avoid damage.

A gang crime crackdown in the run-up to the party has seen 157 arrests and the seizure of guns, drugs and cash.

As part of Operation Kent officers retrieved two machine guns and a handgun, crack cocaine and around £78,000 in cash.