Notting Hill Festival stabbings: Mum in critical condition as UK police make impassioned plea

Police chiefs said last night they were “tired” of the violence which blights London’s famous Notting Hill carnival, after a mother was stabbed in front of her young child.

Three people were injured in knife attacks at the carnival’s “family day” on Sunday, including the 32-year-old mother who “narrowly” avoided being killed, the force said.

Last night, the Met said 145 arrests had been made yesterday alone, including 40 for possession of an offensive weapon and 16 for assault of an emergency worker. It took the total arrests overall to 249.

The violence has prompted rank-and-file police to warn “no one is safe” if even mothers with children can become targets for attacks at Europe’s biggest street party.

The carnival’s second and final day, “Adults Day”, yesterday welcomed more huge crowds.

Around a million people were expected to attend the celebration of Afrocaribbean culture over the two days, requiring 7,000 officers to be on duty after scenes of shocking violence in recent years.

Following Sunday’s disorder, the Met Police made an unusually frank intervention, urging those “who value this event” to come forward if they had information about criminality.

Deputy Assistant commissioner Ade Adelekan, who was in charge of the policing operation for the event, said: “This was supposed to be ‘family day’ – a celebration suitable for all ages.

“Lne of those in hospital, a 32- year-old woman whose condition remains critical, was at the carnival with her young child.

“We are tired of saying the same words every year. We are tired of telling families that their loved ones are seriously injured, or worse. We are tired of seeing crime scenes at carnival.

“Carnival is a community event and the vast majority of people come to celebrate, to dance, to enjoy music and have a fantastic experience. it is the responsibility of all who value this event, who want to see it as the celebration it should be, to speak out and speak up about the violence that continues to overshadow it.”

A 29-year-old man remained in hospital with stab injuries after an attack on Sunday, while a 24-year-old man stabbed in a separate incident has discharged himself from hospital.

There have not yet been any arrests in relation to the stabbings but suspects have been detained for offences including violence, robbery, assaults on police, sexual assaults, possession of weapons and possession of drugs.

Rick Prior, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents the rank-and-file, last night said the carnival needed to be moved out of Notting Hill so it could be better policed.

His comments came against a backdrop of growing frustration among frontline officers about the level of violence and hostility they are forced to endure at the event. Mr Prior suggested a more contained area, such as Hyde Park, could allow for the celebration to still take place, but in a safer manner.