Millions expected for Notting Hill Carnival

Briatin's Notting Hill Carnival was getting underway today, with millions of visitors expected at Europe’s largest street party.

Organisers promise that this year’s festival, which is themed Unity and Diversity, will be bigger, better and safer than ever before.

Police have stepped up security following the July 7 bombings, and around 5,000 officers will be on duty today and tomorrow.

The party in West London officially started yesterday, when 14 steel bands competed in Panorama, the National Steel Band competition.

But the traditional opening ceremony – Jouvert – took place this morning with a day-break procession of festival-goers daubed in mud and paint accompanied by steel pan music.

Sunday is children’s carnival day, and traditionally quieter than Monday when partying carries on late into the night after the floats leave.

Professor Chris Mullard, chair of the Notting Hill Carnival said: “This morning saw the spiritual awakening of Carnival with people rising with the sun.

“This year is going to be an extraordinary festival. It’s going to be bigger, better and safer than any other.

“The excitement around London at the moment is enormous, and Londoners wish to express their commitment to the themes of unity and diversity.”

Commander Chris Allison, spokesman for the Metropolitan police, said: “We’ve been working really closely with everyone involved in Carnival to make sure we all do all we can to make 2005 as safe as can be.

“Carnival is an important annual event in London’s calendar; this importance has only increased since the tragedy that struck London on July 7.

“My colleagues will be working very hard over the weekend to make sure that everyone coming to Carnival has a great time and is as safe as they can be.”

Some 4,477 Metropolitan Police officers are on duty today, with 5,000 working tomorrow.

Police said they had also set up a special team to target potential troublemakers in the run-up to this year’s event.

Around 80 CCTV cameras will be in operation over the Carnival area.

Police are advising visitors to plan journeys in advance, have a set meeting place in case people are separated from family or friends as mobile phone networks are expected to be jammed and to not bring valuable to the festival.

Some 250,000 people attended Carnival on Sunday last year and 500,000 on Monday. In 2003 when 100,000 attended on the Sunday and 500,000 on the Monday.

From its humble beginnings in 1964, Carnival has grown from what was mainly a children’s festival with a few Trinidadian steel bands to the huge street party it is today.