Notting Hill Carnival goers must not take selfies by Grenfell Tower, warn police as 9,000 officers prepare and locals board up ahead of Europe’s biggest street party in soaring temperatures.
A blazing hot weather forecast has been predicted for the Monday of the festival, with highs of 27C (80F) in the capital.
The Metropolitan Police have revealed it is taking special measures to protect more than one million visitors in a multi-million-pound operation. There have already been 650 arrests.
Police warned people going to Notting Hill Carnival in London not to take selfies in front of the the charred Grenfell Tower
Up to 9,000 officers, almost a third of the force’s warranted workforce, will be on duty, some working 16-hour shifts.
Tributes following the Grenfell Tower fire will be fenced off to protect them from Notting Hill Carnival attendees, with a raft of measures in place to ensure the tragedy is marked and the community respected.
Extra officers and protective barriers will be stationed around the blackened tower in a ‘ring of care’ to protect the Lancaster West estate from the hundreds of thousands of carnival-goers that will pass nearby, the Metropolitan Police said.
And posters have been put up along the carnival route near to the high-rise to discourage attendees from taking photos of the charred tower, an activity which has distressed locals.
Grenfell Tower became a hot spot for tourists to take selfies outside after a fire in Kensington claimed at least 80 lives in June
This comes after tourists and visitors were seen taking selfies below the building in the days following the tragic fire which claimed at least 80 lives in June.
For the first time, concrete blocks and security barriers will completely close the carnival route to vehicles for ten hours each day.
The move comes as experts warn of the continuing risk of a crude terrorist attack like that seen in Barcelona involving vehicles and knives.
Snatch squads are prepared to arrest wanted offenders and known gang members identified by facial recognition technology.
Police have also stepped up security ahead of the event, with a focus on anyone trying to sneak acid into the festival
It is hoped CCTV cameras and ‘super recogniser’ officers will help flush out a tiny minority intent on violence.
Extra search teams will be on hand to identify troublemakers attempting to smuggle acid into the crowds.
Residents in the west London suburb spent the week locking down their homes with some streets lined by graffiti-covered hoardings.
Workmen erected wood and metal boards around businesses and homes prior to tomorrow’s event. But many homeowners chose to travel out of the city to avoid Europe’s biggest street party.
Commander Dave Musker revealed more than 650 suspected gang members, drug dealers and knifemen have been rounded up in dawn raids before the event.
Hitting back at criticism of a £60,000 heroin bust in Lewisham by campaigners who said it was unrelated to the carnival, he said: ‘I don’t care what we arrest them for. We will be lawfully audacious if we can to get them off the streets.
‘If they have got heroin or other drugs we will target them … This is my 28th carnival and I have policed it at every rank from constable to commander. I am not hostile. I want it to be a success … but I want it to be safe. I’m not a member of the fun police … I am trying to encourage people to have a safe event.’
People affected by the Grenfell fire have pleased with visitors not to take pictures of their ‘great loss’ following the blaze
His comments come after Michael Omari, 24, known as rapper Stormzy, who wrote online to the force: ‘How many drugs did you lot seize in the run-up to Glastonbury or we only doing tweets like this for black events?’
Commander Musker said: ‘Last year we had 70 to 80 stabbings, four of [the victims] nearly lost their lives … I cannot remember a single murder at Glastonbury. We are going to be uncompromising in ensuring the safety and security of the public.’
Last year more than 450 people were arrested over the two days, the highest number since 2008, as police racked up an £8million bill. Dozens were injured and more than 90 weapons seized. Police said four stab victims survived only thanks to the expertise of paramedics. There were more than 45 attacks on officers.
This year’s vehicle ban will be enforced from 9am to 7pm. There will be two moments of reflection for victims of the Grenfell fire but visitors will be discouraged from stopping close to the building itself.
Police will maintain a robust presence at Carnival, after Commander Musker said there were between 70 and 80 stabbings at last year’s
Chief Superintendent Robyn Williams said the Tower area must not become a ‘circus’, adding that floral tributes there would be protected.
Officers will be equipped with testing kits to combat anyone trying to ‘swan in with a bottle of Lucozade with acid in’.
Lorna Macbeth, 68, who has lived in the area for 40 years, protected her home with wood and chicken wire. The retired teacher said she had trimmed her garden so people cannot hide behind plants.
‘The main issue is people using your steps as a toilet which is why we have to board it up,’ she said. ‘We all love it here, but when revellers come and do not respect people’s homes it makes it difficult.’
The festival starts this evening with Panorama – a free open air evening of competitive performance by national steel bands.
Tomorrow morning opens with J’ouvert – ( ‘opening of the day’) – a traditional procession before sunrise, where participants cover their body in mud to celebrate the start of carnival.
Sunday is traditionally known as ‘family day’ with the Sunday Parade featuring children from schools across the capital who showcase their flamboyant costumes.
The Grand Finale is on Monday