Sir Mark Rowley expressed serious concerns regarding the management of the Notting Hill Carnival, equating its crowd safety risks to a potential mass fatality event, similar to the Hillsborough disaster. He highlighted that the event is not managed by professionals in event management, which raises significant safety risks as up to a million attendees are expected. His remarks during the London Policing Board meeting emphasized the importance of effective crowd management, which he believes the carnival struggles to provide.
The Commissioner stated that the police should primarily respond to crime and disorder at events, rather than managing crowd safety, which is the responsibility of organizers. He pointed out that despite their efforts to mitigate risks, the challenges remain due to poor event management practices. He noted that inadequate stewarding at this year’s carnival contributed to issues, reinforcing the need for professional expertise in crowd management.
Rowley highlighted alarming crime statistics from this year’s carnival, including over 300 arrests, two murders, six stabbings, and the recovery of 60-70 weapons. He emphasized the difference in crime profiles compared to other major public events, asserting that the severity of incidents at the carnival demonstrates a significant organizational failure and calls for better management practices to ensure public safety during such large gatherings.
Despite his critiques, Rowley acknowledged a 'very positive' relationship between the Metropolitan Police and the Notting Hill Carnival's organizers. However, he insisted that without improvements in crowd management expertise, the risks associated with the event will continue to be a major concern moving forward.
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