The future of the Notting Hill Carnival could be in doubt without "urgent funding" from the government, its organisers said in a letter leaked to the BBC. Carnival chair Ian Comfort has written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to request the funding, which he said was "essential to safeguarding the future and public safety of this iconic event". It follows a review of the festival, which attracts about two million people over the August Bank Holiday weekend, that identified "critical public safety concerns" that needed additional funding to address, the letter said. The Met Police's Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist previouslyraised concerns of a "mass casualty event"due to crowd density. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has been contacted for a response. The independent safety review was commissioned by the carnival's organisers and paid for at a cost of £100,000 by the Greater London Authority (GLA), Kensington and Chelsea Council and Westminster Council. In the leaked letter, Mr Comfort also referred to aseparate report by the London Assembly. He said that this study, published in April, highlighted the increasing strain placed on the Metropolitan Police during large-scale public events. "Limited resourcing has restricted the police service's ability to respond to growing operational pressures," Mr Comfort said in the letter. He added that increased investment in stewarding and crowd management was "now essential to allow the police to focus on their primary role of crime prevention and public protection". Mr Comfort added that a failure to secure "immediate" additional funding "risks compromising public safety and jeopardising the future of the carnival". He did not put a number on the level of funding needed. The safety review's full findings and recommendations have not been made public. Mr Comfort said that while the GLA and the two councils had provided "substantial support" for stewarding during past festivals, they could no longer "meet the growing operational requirements identified in the review". The government has supported Carnival through bodies such as Arts Council England. However, it is understood that if the organisers' request is granted, it would mark the first time direct government funding has been provided. Mr Comfort added: "A co-ordinated, well-resourced safety approach is essential to protect attendees and meet the operational demands of this major national event." As part of its policing operation for the 2024 carnival, the Met had about 7,000 officers on duty, drawn from local policing teams as well as specialist units, with a total of around 14,000 officer shifts across the whole event. Giving evidence to the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee in September, Mr Twist said: "While we acknowledge that crime often gets the headlines, the thing that worries me most is the crowd density and the potential for a mass casualty event." The committee's report - separate to the safety review commissioned by Carnival organisers - found that while the force was being put under increasing strain by Carnival, "this has not been matched with an increase in funding from the government". Speaking in April at the report's publication, committee chair Susan Hall said: "It is absolutely essential that the Met is on hand to carry out its duties, and not fill in for a lack of stewarding from the organisers." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London onSoundsand follow BBC London onFacebook,XandInstagram. Send your story ideas tohello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk
Future of Notting Hill Carnival in jeopardy without urgent funding, organisers say
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Notting Hill Carnival Organizers Seek Urgent Government Funding to Ensure Public Safety"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
The Notting Hill Carnival, a significant cultural event that attracts approximately two million attendees each August Bank Holiday weekend, is facing uncertainty regarding its future due to a lack of urgent funding, according to its organizers. In a letter addressed to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, Carnival chair Ian Comfort emphasized that financial support is critical for ensuring public safety and the continuity of the festival. A recent independent safety review, commissioned by the carnival's organizers and funded by the Greater London Authority and local councils, identified severe public safety concerns that necessitate additional resources. The review highlighted the risks associated with crowd density and the potential for a 'mass casualty event' as expressed by the Metropolitan Police's Assistant Commissioner, Matt Twist. The letter indicates that without immediate funding, the safety of attendees could be compromised, jeopardizing the future of this iconic celebration of culture and community.
Mr. Comfort's correspondence also referred to a report from the London Assembly that noted the increasing operational pressures on the Metropolitan Police during large public events like the carnival. He pointed out that limited resources have hindered the police's ability to effectively manage these challenges, underscoring the need for enhanced investment in crowd management and stewarding. While the Greater London Authority and local councils have historically provided support, they are now unable to meet the growing requirements identified in the safety review. The government has previously supported the carnival through organizations like Arts Council England, but direct financial assistance has not been provided until now. The Met Police's operational plan for the 2024 carnival involves a significant deployment of officers, yet concerns persist regarding the adequacy of resources to ensure public safety. The letter concludes with a call for a coordinated and well-resourced approach to safety to protect attendees and address the operational demands of this major national event.
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