Notting Hill Carnival: Man dies after being stabbed amid ‘significant crowds’

Police say victim was evacuated ‘in challenging circumstances’ but later pronounced dead

A 21-year-old man died after being stabbed amid crowded scenes at the Notting Hill Carnival on Monday night.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement that officers were informed of the stabbing in Ladbroke Grove, under the Westway flyover, at about 8pm.

The victim was provided first aid at the scene before he was taken to a west London hospital by paramedics from London Ambulance Service, the statement said.

"They were able to extract him through significant crowds in challenging circumstances to a waiting ambulance," the police said.

The man was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital, officials said, adding that his next of kin have been informed.

Hundreds of people were arrested after "a number of violent incidents and serious stabbings" were reported at the carnival.

According to police 209 arrests had been made by the small hours of Tuesday, including 46 for assault, 36 for possession of drugs, 33 for possession of an offensive weapon, 27 public order offences and eight sexual assaults.

The police have issued a Section 60 stop and search order that will be in place until 1am on Tuesday. Section 60 orders are issued under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, which allows authorities to conduct stop and searches for “dangerous instruments and offensive weapons”.

Alison Heydari, commander of Local Policing, said hundreds of people were in the immediate vicinity when the stabbing took place.

Nearly a million people were in attendance for the Adults Day event on Monday at the carnival, which returned after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A murder investigation led by the homicide detectives from the department’s Specialist Crime Command is underway, she said.

"They will pursue every possible line of inquiry to identify those responsible and bring them to justice,” Ms Heydari said.

The carnival is back for the first time in two years (Kirsty O’Connor/PA) (PA Wire)

"Officers from across the Met have been working tirelessly over the past two days to ensure that all those who came to Notting Hill Carnival could enjoy the experience safely.

"It was the culmination of months of close coordination with the organisers, our local authority and emergency service partners and the community.

"The atmosphere over the past two days has been largely positive and good natured as carnival should be," the commander added.

Anyone with information or video footage of the incident that could assist officers has been asked to come forward.

Those with information can contact the police directly on 101 providing the reference 7478/29AUG or reach out anonymously, on 0800 555 111.