Notting Hill Carnival 2018: Met Police knife detection arches to be used at west London event for first time

More than 6,000 officers will be on duty for bank holiday parade

Knife detection arches will be used at Notting Hill carnival for the first time to deter people from bringing weapons, the Metropolitan Police has said.

More than 6,000 officers will be deployed in west London on each day of the annual bank holiday two-day event – the highest number in six years, including undercover officers and members of the Metropolitan Police’s newly-formed Violent Crime Task Force.

Knife crime in London has soared in recent months and the arches will be used to deter anyone looking to attend the event with a weapon.

The exact details of where the arches will be located has not yet been disclosed.

Superintendent Elisabeth Chapple, Met Police spokesperson for the event, said: “The sheer number of people coming to carnival and the relatively small geographical area, means that it is a challenging environment to police.

“We are working closely with the event organisers to ensure it is a safe environment where people can come to enjoy themselves.”

Commander Dave Musker, police gold commander for carnival, said: “The Met seeks to support Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, carnivalists and local communities to deliver a safe and spectacular event over the bank holiday weekend.

“Our continued major effort directed against violence across the capital will continue.”