The Metropolitan Police will station more than 7,000 officers across west London this Bank Holiday weekend as the Notting Hill Carnival marks its 60th year.

The event draws millions of visitors to celebrate Caribbean culture and community, though it also sees hundreds of arrests every year. Gold Commander for the operation, Commander Claire Smart, said the force's core task is ensuring visitors can celebrate safely, pointing to the prevention of serious violence and the protection of women and girls as central priorities.

In the weeks leading up to the celebration, officers have been running intelligence-led operations to disrupt suspected offenders before they reach the event. On Wednesday, a joint operation with Greater Manchester Police carried out raids at multiple addresses across London, arresting seven people on suspicion of robbery.

Police allege that the suspects belong to a gang that specifically targets music events and festivals. Intelligence indicated that members of the group had attended Carnival in previous years and may have been planning to return this weekend.

Significant quantities of weapons have also been taken off the streets in recent operations. Officers recovered 66 zombie knives in north-east London, alongside a separate haul in east London that included a further 10 zombie knives, 30 flick knives, and a machete.

Where formal criminal charges were not immediately possible, police imposed strict bail conditions to keep individuals deemed a serious threat away from the area. More than 330 people are currently subject to bail terms prohibiting them from attending Carnival.

A Section 60 order under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 will remain in place throughout the weekend. The order gives officers enhanced powers to stop and search individuals for weapons without needing reasonable suspicion.

The force is also expanding the use of live facial recognition cameras, positioning units both within the event footprint and along key approach routes. Commander Smart said police would "use intelligence-led tactics including stop and search, as well as the increased deployment of live facial recognition cameras, to identify offenders, prevent harm and intervene early wherever possible."

Beyond street patrols, officers have visited more than 90 businesses across the Westminster area—including hotels, restaurants, fast food outlets, and phone shops—to brief staff on spotting the signs of child sexual exploitation and trafficking.

To give you an idea of the policing challenge, last year's Carnival saw 528 arrests over the two main days. Facial recognition cameras identified 98 people, leading directly to 61 arrests and allowing officers to intercept 30 registered sex offenders. Four stabbing or slashing incidents were reported last year, none of which were life-threatening, while 55 people were arrested for assaulting officers, leaving two hospitalised.

This year, the Met will be supported on the ground by City of London Police, while British Transport Police deploys specialist resources and high-visibility patrols across the rail network. Commander Smart added that organisers have made significant improvements to stewarding and crowd control following months of joint planning.

I'll be following this one — check back for updates.