Contact : +44 ( 0 ) 1202 795 801 SOLACE GLOBAL.COM 1 of 5
TRAVEL RISK
TRAVEL ADVISORY • 23 AUGUST 2017
Notting Hill Carnival Safety
Considerations
Travel Information: The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event held in the Notting Hill area of London during the August bank
holiday weekend. This year’s event is due to occur between 27-28 August, though there are some events planned for the evening
of 26 August. It is considered to be the largest celebration of Caribbean culture in Europe, with up to two million expected to attend
the event. The Notting Hill Carnival comprises parades, food stalls, and is considered one of Europe’s largest street parties.
The Carnival floats begin at about 0900hrs on both 27 and 28 August, and finish at approximately 2000hrs. However, revellers
continue the party long after the parades have ended. Carnival celebrations dominate the W11 post code of West London. The
KEY POINTS
• The annual Notting Hill Carnival takes place during the bank holiday weekend at the end of August.
• The Carnival is commonly associated with a celebration of London’s Caribbean community.
• Up to 2 million people are expected to attend.
• Crime and safety is considered to be an issue at the event.
SITUATIONAL SUMMARY
Contact : +44 ( 0 ) 1202 795 801 SOLACE GLOBAL.COM 2 of 5
TRAVEL RISK
TRAVEL ADVISORY • 23 AUGUST 2017
parades on 27 and 28 August are expected to begin on Great Western Road, before heading to Chepstow Road, Westbourne
Grove, and Ladbroke Grove. Events on 26 August take place between 1800-2200hrs in Emslie Horniman Pleasance Park.
Security Provision
Due to the size and street-based location of
the event, the Notting Hill Carnival
represents a significant security challenge.
In the 2016 edition of the event, 6,000 police
officers were deployed for the Sunday with
an extra 1,000 deployed for the Monday. In
addition, 1,000 British Transport Police were
also deployed to provide extra assistance on
the railway and on London Underground.
Police activities also cause travel disruption
as they set up Traffic Management Zones
and areas used to help with crowd
management and the movement of
emergency vehicles. The Carnival heavily
relies on stewards to help facilitate the movements of parading performers. In 2016, more than 2,000 stewards were put into place
(up from 900 stewards in the previous year).
Police also regularly carry out preventative
work prior to the Carnival in order to stop
potential criminality. Police carry out raids on
suspected drug dealers, conduct weapon
sweeps and Automatic Number Plate
Recognition operations, and target known
gang members. In 2016, 200 search
warrants were executed, with 55 arrested.
Police seized Class A and B drugs,
weapons, money, and arrested 55 people.
Crime in Years Past
In 2016, there were 15 reported injuries
involving a knife or blade, two of which were life-threatening. There were 90 arrests for the possession of weapons, up from 57 in
the previous year. In total, 454 people were arrested during the Carnival celebrations. Police have partly attributed this higher
number to new laws around drug use including Nitrous Oxide. There were 45 incidents of assault against police officers, including a
number of police being spat at. These 45 incidents resulted in 25 arrests. There were 151 cases of violent crime in 2016, an
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
20
11
20
12
20
13
20
14
20
15
20
16
Police Deployment During the Notting Hil Carnival
Police officers deployed Saturday
Police officers deployed Sunday
Police officers deployed Monday
0
200
400
600
800
1000
20
11
20
12
20
13
20
14
20
15
20
16
Total Crimes Reported During the Notting Hill Carnival
SOLACE GLOBAL COMMENT
Contact : +44 ( 0 ) 1202 795 801 SOLACE GLOBAL.COM 3 of 5
TRAVEL RISK
TRAVEL ADVISORY • 23 AUGUST 2017
increase of 86 per cent on the 81 incidents to
have occurred in 2010. An anti-social
behaviour zone was implemented in 2016,
with 47 people given dispersal notices,
meaning that they had to leave the area and
not return within a specific timeframe.
The Threat of Casualties
The scale and nature of the Carnival (a well-
attended, difficult to control, outside event)
means that casualties are an inevitability.
While injures have occurred due to crime they
can also occur due to overcrowding. The
number of casualties has increased over recent years, increasing concerns over public safety. The police have highlighted three
significant areas of the route in 2016 where overcrowding was viewed to be a significant issue – Ladbroke Grove, All Saints Road,
and Great Western Road.
Travel and Disruptions
Travel to and from Notting Hill
on Carnival weekend will be
restricted and heavy
congestion is likely. It is
advisable that spectators
attempt to go early or late to
see the parade. The road
closures within the Carnival’s
vicinity are as follows:
0200 – 0500hrs on 27 August
Elgin Crescent; Westbourne
Park Road (between Great
Western Road and Ladbroke
Grove); Cambridge Gardens
(between St Marks Road and
Ladbroke Grove); Kensington
Park Road (between
Westbourne Grove and Elgin Crescent) and Restrictions on Great Western Road
From 0700 to 0000hrs on 27 August and 0700hrs on 28 August to 0500hrs on 29 August, the road closure boundary comprises the
following:
Harrow Road in the north, Notting Hill Gate in the south, Clarendon Road in the west, and Queensway in the east. Congestion and
delays are expected within the vicinity of these road closures.
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
20
09
20
10
20
11
20
12
20
13
20
14
20
15
20
16
Notting Hill Carnival Casualties
Total Casualties Casualties requiring hospitalisation
Map: Notting Hill Carnival Route and Impacted Underground Stations
Ladbroke Grove
All Saints Road
Ladbroke Grove
Contact : +44 ( 0 ) 1202 795 801 SOLACE GLOBAL.COM 4 of 5
TRAVEL RISK
TRAVEL ADVISORY • 23 AUGUST 2017
Transport for London (TFL) has warned that stations may close temporarily to prevent overcrowding. TFL has also noted that there
will be service changes to the London Underground over this weekend. This includes:
Ladbroke Grove: Closed on 27 and 28 August.
Latimer Road: Closed after 2330hrs on 27 August and all day the day after.
Notting Hill Gate: The station will be exit-only between 1100-1900hrs on 27 and 28 August and the Circle/District line will not call at
this station.
Westbourne Park: The station will be exit-only between 1100-1800hrs and closed at 2330hrs on 27 and 28 August.
Royal Oak: The station will be exit-only after 1100hrs and closed at 1800hrs on 27 and 28 August.
The nearest overground stations to the event are Willesden Junction, Kensal Rise, Kensal Green, Queen’s Park, and Shepherd’s
Bush.
London Bus services are also set to be disrupted. From approximately 0500hrs on 28 August until 0500 on 30 August, buses will be
diverted from the Notting Hill and North Kensington area or may terminate earlier than usual. During these hours, buses will start
their routes at the Prince of Wales on Harrow Road to the Carnival’s north and from Notting Hill Gate to the Carnival’s south.
SECURITY ADVICE
Travellers are advised that although the Notting Hill Carnival is a family event (especially 27 August), travel risks remain. It is
advisable to avoid the aforementioned areas where overcrowding is a significant issue in order to avoid injury. It is important to
maintain situational awareness due to the threat of criminality or heightened unrest. Any crowds that appear to be becoming
restless or aggressive should be avoided or the area left immediately. Travellers should also ensure that that they avoid overt
displays of wealth so as to evade the attentions of would-be criminals. It is advisable to carry only the money, cards, and property
needed for the day and these should be kept out of sight from thieves ideally in a concealed inside pocket or money belt; all
valuables should be left at home. Be aware that many cash machines may run out of money early in the day. If drinking alcohol
during the day or attending night-time activities, take precautions against drink spiking; keep your drink with you all times. A police
officer should be informed of any concerns, crimes, or suspicious individuals or objects. All police instructions should be adhered
fully as they are likely to be high alert.
Travellers should be prepared for the extremes of British weather and come prepared with water to prevent against dehydration
and stay updated on the weather forecast to understand if sunscreen or wet weather clothing is required. Travellers attending the
festivities are advised to plan their routes to and from the Carnival carefully; it is advisable to consider walking from a train or tube
station not in the immediate facility of the event. Also, it is important to plan ahead and know how you are getting home. If meeting
other people, do so away from the Notting Hill area and then arrive together as it will be difficult to find people in the large crowds.
In case of getting lost or separated choose a large landmark at which to regroup, something easy to see in a crowd. Ensure that
all members of your group have each other’s phone numbers written down as well as on mobile devices. Be prepared for long
waits at portable toilets and plan accordingly; travellers should consider bringing hand sanitiser and a portable potty for children.
Those not attending the Carnival are advised to expect excessive travel delays and should consider rearranging any planned
travel to or near the Notting Hill area, or plan for longer than usual travel times. Solace Global not would advise clients of the need
to employ enhanced security measures when visiting the United Kingdom. Travellers may wish to use travel-tracking technology
with an intelligence feed to stay updated of any security-related events.
LOW TRAVEL RISK
Contact : +44 ( 0 ) 1202 795 801 SOLACE GLOBAL.COM 5 of 5
TRAVEL RISK
TRAVEL ADVISORY • 23 AUGUST 2017