Carnival police monitor gangs on Facebook

Police are monitoring violent gangs squaring up to each other in cyberspace with 10 days to go until the Notting Hill Carnival.

Officers said postings on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social networking sites show suspects are preparing for trouble.

A huge policing operation is under way to intercept those linked to gangs, drug dealing and weapons before they can attend the August Bank Holiday weekend event.

More than 70 people have been arrested, £60,000 (€73,000) cash seized and large quantities of crack cocaine and heroin recovered in raids during Operation Razorback.

The event has a reputation among some gangs, including those in Manchester and the West Midlands, as an opportunity to settle scores.

Last year more than 200 people were arrested and a bulletproof vest and a knife were recovered from members of one group which gathered at Victoria station.