Latest news with #NottingHillCarnival
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Notting Hill Carnival's lack of funding 'a significant concern'
The Metropolitan Police has said it is "significantly concerned" that Notting Hill Carnival is yet to secure "essential funding" with only a matter of weeks until the event. The comments, made in the London Policing Board agenda, explain that "crowd safety needs to be addressed", and calls for effective stewarding. The concerns come after a leaked letter to the BBC showed that carnival organisers felt the event could be in doubt without "urgent funding" from the government. 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". The government is yet to respond, and has told media it will "respond to the letter in due course".The Met Police's Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist previously raised concerns of a "mass casualty event" due to crowd density. Running out of time The new comments from the Met Police highlight the force's worries over the event going ahead. The Met said: "With each week that passes, the ability to successfully implement the phase one recommendations become more challenging as event management companies will be hesitant to take on an event at such short notice without a sufficient lead in time."Phase one recommendations focus on event management and crowd said, however, that its own plans for policing the event were "well underway", and said that planning began "as soon as last year's carnival concluded".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. The latest concerns from the Met follow a review of the festival, which attracts about two million people over the August Bank Holiday weekend, which identified "critical public safety concerns" that needed additional funding to address, the letter 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 safety review's full findings and recommendations have not been made public. In the leaked letter, Mr Comfort wrote 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 Comfort said that while the Greater London Authority 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 it is understood that if the organisers' request is granted, it would mark the first time direct government funding has been provided.
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Notting Hill Carnival crush risk made me frightened, says Khan
The risk of a crowd crush at Notting Hill Carnival "made me frightened", London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan at mayor's question time, he said Carnival had become a "victim of its own success" with it now attracting about two million people across the August bank holiday has backed a call from the event's organisers for urgent funding from the government to help pay for additional public safety measures. The government said it would respond to the request "in due course".Susan Hall, Conservative group leader at City Hall, said the festival was a "disaster waiting to happen", adding: "I think there comes a time when it isn't down to money. It's down to the situation." In his letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, which was leaked to the BBC on Wednesday, Carnival chair Ian Comfort said the future of the event could be in doubt without the additional funding to improve crowd an independent public safety review which had been commissioned by Carnival organisers, Sir Sadiq said a "funding gap" had opened due to the added costs of implementing its recommendations. He told the London Assembly: "The carnival has been going since 1966, organised by the community, the second biggest street festival in the world."[At] City Hall, we've been supporting the carnival in my last nine years as mayor in terms of funding for safety and security. We fund the carnival safety and security, to the tune of about £1,000,000."The mayor said the current level of funding currently given by City Hall, Kensington and Chelsea Council and Westminster Council was the "maximum we can financially, and so we would need the government to step in". He said he shared concerns raised by the Metropolitan Police around the risks of "crushing at certain pinch points"."I've seen images of some of the crowds at some parts of the day and watching that made me frightened," the mayor said the UK has expertise in crowd management following the events such as the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy and that any recommendations to reduce such risks at Notting Hill Carnival needed to be implemented. Ms Hall, a former Tory mayoral candidate, questioned whether the government should "fund an event that two people died at last year".Cher Maximen was fatally stabbed in front of her three-year-old daughter at the 2024 event and chef Mussie Imnetu was murdered close to the carnival route. The Met has previously said the measures it takes to manage the crowd limits the ability of police officers to focus on crime prevention. Rachel Alexander, who has performed at Notting Hill Carnival since 2008, called for the funding to be granted."If the government truly values the cultural and economic impact of Carnival then they should invest in its foundation," she told BBC added that while last year was among her best "on the road in terms of crowd control", it can depend on the band and if they could afford "top notch security". "Overall, the event needs better infrastructure to crowd control," she said.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
The Notting Hill Carnival deserves to die
With organisers of the annual Notting Hill Carnival reportedly worried its future is in doubt without urgent government funding, we are at the 'reform or die' stage for the event. At the end of last summer's Notting Hill Carnival, Metropolitan Police revealed that eight people were stabbed during the 'celebrations' and a total of 334 arrests were made – most for possession of an offensive weapon and drug-related offences. One of those stabbed was 32-year-old mother Cher Maximen, who later died after being attacked with a zombie knife by 20-year-old Shakeil Thibou in front of her three-year-old daughter on the Carnival's so-called 'Family Day'. During the latest edition of the weekend event, which is billed as Europe's biggest street carnival, thousands of Met police officers were deployed under difficult circumstances due to the sheer density of crowds and the scale of criminality; fifty of these officers were injured. The reality is the Notting Hill Carnival, which in its earlier stages was a hippie-style festival with a strong emphasis on cultural unity and fighting discrimination, has descended into an annual hotbed of violence and debauchery. Its disorderly nature is demonstrated by the fact that, in recent years, elderly residents on the Carnival route have been transported to the seaside as part of a Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council scheme to provide them with 'respite'. I suspect that some of the creators of Notting Hill Carnival, which was originally an indoor event focused on improving UK race relations following the 1958 riots in the area, would be turning in their grave over the sorry depths that it has plunged to. As currently constituted, it is not remotely sustainable. The weekend event is arguably the most high-profile and well-known expression of Caribbean culture in modern Britain. But the level of knife-related violence, public degeneracy and aggression towards police officers means that it now does far more harm than good for race relations. In fact, it only serves to reinforce the view that the UK's black Caribbean population is a culturally broken one. The fundamental reform of Notting Hill Carnival is long overdue. While I would not want to see such an iconic event completely wiped from the British cultural calendar, it must radically change. It cannot continue to exist in its current form. It should be relocated to a more spacious area in the name of public safety; Hyde Park is one option. Holding it as a streamlined celebration based on ticketed entry and robust private security would provide a safer environment as well as being kinder to the taxpayer. This would make it more appealing for family-friendly visitors and return the Notting Hill Carnival to being a culturally enriching event of national pride and community spirit. Those who wish to protect it in its current form and trivialise the levels of violence at the event are signing its death warrant. If they want it to survive, they must accept that it needs to completely change course.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
This is the horrific moment my granddaughter was murdered in front of her daughter, 3 – the image will haunt me forever
JUST moments earlier Cher Maximen had been laughing and dancing with her three-year-old daughter, Niketa. But lying on the pavement in the middle of the Advertisement 11 Cher Maximen was stabbed at Notting Hill Carnival last year Credit: HotSpot Media 11 Horrific bodycam footage caught the moment she was caught in the scuffle Credit: HotSpot Media 11 Her grandmother Vyleen (left) has been left to care for Cher's (right) daughter Niketa (seen centre) Credit: HotSpot Media After a fight broke out between some men, amid the scuffle, the And her grandmother, Vyleen, 68, received the devastating call that she was fighting for her life in hospital. Tragically, six days later, the 32-year-old passed away from her injuries. In May this year, Shakeil Thibou, 20, was found guilty of her murder and handed a 29 year sentence. Advertisement Read More on Real Lives Now, grandmother of seven, Vyleen, is raising awareness of She says: 'Cher had her whole life ahead of her with Niketa. 'It was snatched away from her because of senseless violence. 'That monster hasn't shown an ounce of remorse for taking her life and leaving Niketa motherless. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Exclusive 'No child should have to witness their mother dying in front of them. 'It's horrific. MUM'S PLEA Harvey Willgoose's mum calls for knife arches in every school in Britain after son was stabbed to death on way to lesson 'Now I want to see the carnival moved to a park or area that can be monitored or controlled better, so thugs cannot commit these horrific crimes and slip away, unnoticed, into the crowd.' Since he was a child, Cher had attended the annual summer carnival, celebrating her Caribbean heritage. Advertisement A clothes designer and part-time model, she loved to showcase her latest creations. Vyleen, from Bristol, says: 'Cher had dreams of starting her own fashion label. 'She loved going to the carnival each year and covering her hair and face in glitter. 'She'd always have some whacky costume, too. Advertisement 'The year before she'd worn a cat suit and shiny Dr Martens.' Last summer, Cher decided to take her daughter, Niketa, for the first time on the carnival's family day. 11 In May this year, Shakeil Thibou, 20, was found guilty of her murder and handed a 29 year sentence Credit: HotSpot Media 11 Shaeim Thibou, 22, was found guilty of assaulting an emergency worker, PC Oliver Mort and given an 18-month suspended sentence Credit: HotSpot Media Advertisement 11 Sheldon Thibou was found guilty of violent disorder Credit: HotSpot Media 11 The bodycam footage was played in court helping to secure a guilty verdict Credit: HotSpot Media Vyleen recalls: 'She was so excited to show Niketa the performers and celebrate the culture.' When Vyleen's phone rang that night, it wasn't Cher's voice on the other end. Advertisement She explains: 'I answered, thinking it was her calling as her ID flashed up, but it was a nurse. 'When she told me Cher'd been injured, I panicked.' Vyleen raced to the St Mary's Hospital in London where a police officer informed her Cher had been stabbed in the groin at the carnival with her attacker still at large. Thankfully, Niketa was unharmed and being cared for by her godmother, TJ, 39. Advertisement Vyleen says: 'Soon after a consultant appeared and explained that Cher had lost a lot of blood and that they were trying to stabilise her. 'When the nurse took me in to see her I broke down seeing her hooked up to multiple machines.' Over the next 24 hours, Cher underwent two major operations in an attempt to stem the internal bleeding she'd suffered. During the second, Vyleen was told by the surgeon that she might not make it. Advertisement Afterwards, she was induced into a coma and hooked up to a ventilator. Vyleen says: 'I was told she'd suffered enormous injuries but that they'd do everything in their power to save her. 'I prayed she'd pull through.' Meanwhile, her liaison officer informed her that they'd arrested three men, but couldn't tell her anymore. Advertisement Over the next few days, while family members rallied around, Vyleen begged her granddaughter to wake up. Eventually, six days on from the attack, she was told Cher wouldn't survive. She says: 'The consultant told me she had no quality of life, that her brain had been starved of oxygen for too long. 'Still, his words didn't sink in. I wasn't ready to say goodbye.' Advertisement That day family members came to be with Cher and at 5:50am, Cher took her last breath. Vyleen says: 'It still didn't seem real. 'That night, TJ broke the news to Niketa and I went to see her the next morning. 'She was staring into the distance. Was so traumatised by what she'd witnessed. Advertisement 11 Cher had been attending the carnival since she was a chold Credit: Facebook 11 Vyleen is now trying to raise awareness of knife crime Credit: PA 11 The family keep a cardboard cut out of Cher in their home to keep her memory alive for Niketa Credit: HotSpot Media 'When she told me 'Mummy was bleeding and I couldn't save her', I had to fight back tears. I told her 'You were so brave and your mummy loves you so much'. Advertisement 'My heart broke for her.' Vyleen took Niketa back to live with her in Bristol and planned Cher's funeral. Soon after, three brothers were charged in connection with Cher's murder. Two months on, in October 2024, the family held her funeral. Advertisement Vyleen says: 'She was taken to the church in a horse and cart. 'The church was so full, some people had to stand outside. 'It was lovely to see how many lives Cher had touched. Her beautiful spirit lives on in her precious daughter Vyleen Maximen 'As they carried her out, Diamonds by Rihanna was was a fitting tribute. Advertisement 'When we reached the grave to lay roses inside, Niketa broke down. 'Knowing she'd never see her mum again made my heart ache. It wasn't fair.' In March this year Vyleen attended the Thibou brothers' trial. The Old Bailey heard that a fight had broken out between some men, and officers intervened when they spotted one, Sheldon Thibou, 25, had an illegal stun gun. Advertisement The officer was assaulted and in the scuffle, Cher was knocked to the floor. She grabbed one of the brother's coats to get back up and kicked out at him to defend her and Niketa. That's when Shakeil Thibou, 20, pulled out a knife and stabbed her in the groin. She fell down and bled out in front of Niketa. Advertisement Top 10 worst UK areas for serious knife crime These are the stats for the latest 12-month period, with the previous year in brackets: London Met 16,521 (13,957) West Midlands 4,930 (5,239) Greater Manchester 3,427 (-) West Yorkshire 2,318 (2,373) South Yorkshire 1,459 (1,629) Essex 1,532 (1,575) Merseyside 1,241 (1,276) Sussex 1,186 (1,030) Avon and Somerset 1,683 (1,368) Lancashire 1,189 (1,043) Six weeks on, Shakeil was found guilty of murder, attempted GBH on 20-year-old Adjei Isaac with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. Vyleen says: 'When the judge sentenced him to a minimum of 29 years, I broke down in relief. 'I had justice for my girl at last.' Shaeim Thibou, 22, was found guilty of assaulting an emergency worker, PC Oliver Mort and given an 18-month suspended sentence. Advertisement Sheldon Thibou was found guilty of violent disorder. He had previously pleaded guilty to the possession of an illegal stun gun and assaulting PC Mort, who tried to intervene. He's due to be sentenced at a later date. Vyleen adds: 'I'm now using my voice to speak out against knife crime. 'I didn't even hear from the organisers of the carnival following Cher's death. Advertisement 'It's appalling. 'I would like the carnival to be better monitored so other innocent lives are protected. 'As for Niketa, now four, I was granted guardianship. She's the bravest little girl. 'We keep a life-sized cut out of Cher in the hallway, so every time she comes home, she sees her mum. Advertisement 'We talk about her constantly and miss her every day. 'Thankfully, her beautiful spirit lives on in her precious daughter.' 11 Vyleen says that she misses her granddaughter every day Credit: HotSpot Media
Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Notting Hill Carnival ‘in jeopardy without government funding'
Notting Hill Carnival organisers have said the event is in jeopardy without government funding. Ian Comfort, the carnival's chairman, has written to the Culture Secretary to demand funds to keep its two million visitors safe. The August bank holiday event has long been overshadowed by crime. Last year's event saw two deaths, eight stabbings, 334 arrests and 50 injured police officers. In the letter to Lisa Nandy, first reported by BBC News, Mr Comfort warned that failure to secure funding 'risks compromising public safety and jeopardising the future of the carnival'. The letter comes after an independent safety review commissioned by the carnival's organisers found 'critical public safety concerns' at the festival. The review, whose findings and recommendations have not been made public, cost £100,000 which was covered by the taxpayer-funded Greater London Authority (GLA), Kensington and Chelsea Council and Westminster Council. The Government has previously supported the carnival through bodies such as Arts Council England, but it is understood that the organisers are requesting direct funding for the first time since its inception in 1966. Mr Comfort has told the Culture Secretary that investment was needed for stewarding and crowd management to allow police to focus on 'crime prevention and public protection'. He warned that the GLA and two councils could no longer 'meet the growing operational requirements' of stewarding the event. It is unclear how much funding the carnival organisers are asking for. The Met Police deployed 7,000 officers to the 2024 event, with a total of around 14,000 officer shifts allocated to the whole event. Matt Twist, the force's assistant commissioner, has previously raised concerns that the carnival could turn into a 'mass casualty event'. He told the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee in September: '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 later published its own report, which warned that the force was being put under an increasing strain which 'has not been matched with an increase in funding from the government'. Two people died in separate attacks at the carnival last year. Cher Maximen, 38, was stabbed in the groin in front of her three-year-old daughter while attempting to break up a fight on Sunday. She died after losing five litres of blood. Mussie Imnetu, a 41-year-old Swedish chef who had trained under Gordon Ramsay, was kicked and punched outside of a restaurant on Monday, dying four days later. He had been visiting the UK on business from Dubai, where he worked as head chef of the Arts Club. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: 'This violence is shocking, completely unacceptable, and a betrayal of the values that Carnival was founded to celebrate.' Commander Charmain Brenyah, the Met's Carnival spokesman, said at the time: 'Carnival is about bringing people together in a positive celebration. That it has ended with the tragic loss of life, amongst other incidents of serious violence, will sadden everyone involved.' The Department for Culture, Media and Sport told the BBC it would 'respond to the letter in due course'.
