News Americas, LONDON, England, Sun. Aug. 30, 2026: London’s Metropolitan Police reported 169 arrests as of 7:45 p.m. today, Sunday, during the first full day of Notting Hill Carnival’s 60th anniversary celebration, as newly deployed live facial recognition technology helped identify dozens of people of interest, including registered sex offenders.

Arrests covered offences including drug and weapons possession, assault, and sexual offences, with the majority occurring within the event perimeter and 27 on approaches to the carnival. Facial recognition technology led to 29 arrests and helped officers identify 26 registered sex offenders in attendance, three of whom were arrested for breaching their conditions.

Portable walk through metal detectors set up for use during the the Notting Hill Carnival in London on Sunday August 30, 2026. (Photo by Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images)

Police responded to two knife-related assaults – a slashing to the leg and one to the hand – neither resulting in life-threatening injuries, a marked contrast to previous years’ carnivals.

“While we have seen a significant number of arrests and interventions by officers, the result of that proactive approach is a welcome reduction in the levels of serious violence seen at the event in previous years,” said Commander Claire Smart, who leads the policing operation.

Smart said officers would remain deployed overnight and through Monday’s final day of celebrations. “We will have officers on duty through the night and tomorrow we will go again to ensure we can continue to tackle the minority who want to come to Carnival to spoil the celebration for the majority,” she said.

Portable walk through metal detectors were set up for use during day one in London. 

Participants taking part in the family day at the Notting Hill Carnival in London. Picture date: Sunday August 30, 2026. (Photo by Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images)

The Notting Hill Carnival was established in 1959 to foster community cohesion after racial violence towards the West Indian migrant population. Today, the community-led event is one of Europe’s largest street festivals, celebrating Caribbean culture and bringing diverse communities together through sound systems, floats, costumes and dancing

NewsAmericasNow will continue to cover the Notting Hill Carnival’s 60th anniversary which wraps up on Monday, August 31st.

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