Police feared crush injuries at carnival

The Radio 1 roadshow at this year's Notting Hill Carnival had to close early because police feared that overcrowding was putting thousands of party-goers at risk, a report by the Metropolitan Police revealed yesterday.

The Radio 1 roadshow at this year's Notting Hill Carnival had to close early because police feared that overcrowding was putting thousands of party-goers at risk, a report by the Metropolitan Police revealed yesterday.

The Met also disclosed that there was a big increase in the number of muggings and injuries during the two-day event in west London, which attracted 1.5 million people and at which two people were murdered and 19 stabbed.

But, after complaints that officers were told to ignore many crimes for reasons of political correctness, the force's police authority yesterday backed the Met's handling of the carnival. Lord Harris of Haringey, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, said: "The authority is satisfied that the police did not operate a softly, softly, non-interventionist policy."

The interim report by the Met into the event disclosed that on Monday 28 August, the busiest day, officers became concerned about possible crushing at the Radio 1 live broadcast held on parkland at Horniman's Pleasance. It noted: "On Monday at about 5.30pm the venue became so crowded that at the behest of the senior police officer for the area the event was closed down early so as to minimise any risk to the public."

In total, there were 276 crimes reported, up by 58 on the previous year. Nearly half were muggings, bag snatches and pickpocket offences; there were 57 assaults and 35 drug-related crimes. Arrests rose from 70 to 129, with one man being caught with a loaded firearm. The number of casualties taken to hospital rose from 63 to 94.

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, has ordered a review of the event and among the possible changes is transferring it to Hyde Park. The Met police authority noted yesterday: "The authority fully supports the carnival but recognises it is a victim of its own great success."