But the mayor’s funding ensures that the carnival, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, can go ahead over the August bank holiday weekend, from August 29-31.
It means City Hall will provide more than £5.6 million of funding – the bulk of which will be spent to ensure crowd control and the safety of revellers – to enable the carnival to be held.
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Police officers watch over crowds of people attending the Notting Hill Carnival last year
Yui Mok/PA Wire
Last year the Met has already announced plans to keep only two out of 37 police stations – at Charing Cross and Lewisham – open to the public on a 24/7 basis.
Susan Hall, leader of the City Hall Conservatives, who has repeatedly raised concerns about the level of violence at Notting Hill Carnival, said: “This money could have saved the two police counters in Kensington & Chelsea from closure, along with others across London – but instead will be given as a blank cheque to Notting Hill Carnival.”
According to City Hall, carnival – which is meant to celebrate Caribbean history and culture – contributes almost £400 million to the economy by attracting about a million people each year.
Sir Sadiq said: “Notting Hill Carnival is one of our capital’s biggest events, drawing Londoners and visitors from across the globe to west London every year in a fantastic celebration of Caribbean culture.
“However, as identified in an independent review, its incredible growth has meant that changes are needed to improve safety and security for all those involved.
“As organisers prepare to celebrate the 60th anniversary this August, I’m stepping in with the support that they need to meet their requirements and ensure that this hugely important event for our capital can take place, as we build a better London for everyone.”
Last year the mayor also had to step in after a warning that it could be cancelled without “urgent funding”. This came after a review of the 2024 festival identified “critical public safety concerns”.
Two people were killed at the 2024 carnival and eight people were stabbed.
Senior commanders said that officers had to intervene on a number of occasions in 2024 to save lives after “100 spontaneous crowd incidents” caused alarm.
Ian Comfort, chair of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, said: “On behalf of the community, we welcome the Mayor’s vital support, which ensures that we can deliver a safe, spectacular and sustainable Carnival in this 60th anniversary year.
“The funding announced today will allow us to introduce the enhanced safety and operational measures required at this scale.
“It will also enable us to assume specific operational responsibilities that have historically been managed by the Metropolitan Police, allowing them to focus on their core policing duties during the event.
“Carnival’s scale brings with it both opportunities and responsibilities. Through close collaboration with our partners and the community, we will continue to deliver Carnival in a way that honours the legacy established by Rhaune Laslett while ensuring its future for generations to come.”
Joe Powell, Labour MP for Kensington and Bayswater, said: “The 60th Notting Hill Carnival is an exciting moment for the whole capital, and I am delighted that Sadiq Khan has once again stepped in with the resources to ensure it will be a great event.
“Residents want to see a safe and well organised carnival. In 2025 there were significant improvements to stewarding and crowd control, and this additional money will ensure those lessons are built on this year too.”
