Notting Hill Carnival CEO Matthew Phillip has said the event will “evolve” and that younger generations will keep the world-famous festival alive as it marks its 60th anniversary. The annual street festival, one of the world’s biggest, is set to kick off this bank holiday weekend in West London.
Defending Carnival Against Critics
In recent years, Notting Hill Carnival has faced calls to be moved off the streets of West London amid concerns about safety and policing. Phillip defended the event, telling the Mirror that those making such calls “don't understand Carnival, and they just see Carnival as a problem”.
Europe’s biggest street party began with just 500 residents in 1966 and has grown into a huge annual event, expected to attract around two million people this weekend. The Metropolitan Police said more than 7,000 officers will be deployed over the weekend as millions descend on West London.
Statistics and Support
The force said most attendees come “solely with the intention of enjoying themselves” but that the Met would pursue the “small minority who come intending to do harm”. In response to criticism, including a suggestion from Susan Hall, head of the Conservative group on the Greater London Authority, that carnival be held in Hyde Park, Phillip told the Mirror: “Those calls come from people that don't understand Carnival, and they just see Carnival as a problem. But I think the statistics kind of help support our case that it's not a problem, it's something that should be cherished.”
He added: “It does a lot, not just economically for the country but, for people's well-being. And, any money that is spent on Carnival it's not cap in hand, it's actually, we're grateful for the funding and support we get, but it's actually an investment in what Carnival does.”
Policing and Community Ownership
The Met Police said it made 528 arrests over the main two days of Notting Hill Carnival last year, including 61 through Live Facial Recognition deployments. Ahead of this weekend, the force said it has arrested or imposed bail conditions on 330 people and raided addresses linked to suspected robbery gangs that target live events.
Phillip told the Mirror the organisation works with the Met and authorities, but this year organisers will have more ownership of the event with more control over infrastructure and the weekend. Despite this, he added: “We still have support from the Met Police and the local authorities.”
Phillip said he believed carnival would continue into the future due to the community around it, stating: “Carnival is community-owned, and the community will stand up for it.” He added: “Carnival is going to evolve. Although, you know there's a blueprint there, but it actually constantly subtly evolves.”
The bands and sound systems key to carnival will change with younger generations, he said: “You have younger people that might come forward and take to the helm and they have their own ideas and the bands and sound systems have creative freedom.”
The CEO said: “That's been going on for 60 years. Carnival's been built by many, many people over many years, and the fact that it is so organic, I believe, is why it's remained relevant to people. And I think and I hope that will continue. There's always evolution, there's changes within bands, there's new people coming forward and that's how it will be able to continue into the future.”
Ahead of the weekend, London Mayor Sadiq Khan celebrated the anniversary in a post on X, writing: “60 years after the first Carnival, its spirit is as strong as ever. We're backing organisers with £4.6m to strengthen safety measures, support more stewards and help visitors and residents enjoy the weekend with confidence.”
Commander Claire Smart, Gold Commander for Notting Hill Carnival this year, said: “This year marks an important milestone as Notting Hill Carnival celebrates its 60th anniversary. It remains one of London's most significant cultural events and something that means a great deal to many of the communities we serve. The vast majority of people who attend Carnival come to celebrate, enjoy themselves and be part of something unique. Our job is to help make sure they can do that safely.”
