Notting Hill Carnival boosts steward numbers and CCTV

This year's Notting Hill Carnival will see a record number of stewards deployed, with more than 3,000 personnel on duty. This figure represents a doubling of the staff usually present for the annual event. Organisers are utilising an additional £4.6m grant from City Hall to implement enhanced safety and crowd management strategies for the carnival's 60th anniversary.

Increased Technology and Signage

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Beyond the increased stewarding, significant upgrades are being made to the event's technological infrastructure. The number of CCTV cameras positioned along the carnival route will increase substantially, rising from 20 last year to approximately 90 this year. These cameras will be linked to a larger central control room. Additionally, the deployment of 'hiker' signs, which warn carnival-goers of potential delays and hold-ups, will increase from 14 to 40. These signs are designed to display messages to help manage crowd flow and reduce agitation.

The Metropolitan Police is also expected to expand its use of live facial recognition technology during the event. This follows the deployment of two teams utilising the technology last year. Organisers have stated that these measures represent a 'massive step-change' for the carnival, aiming to improve safety and crowd management significantly.

Context and Funding

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Matthew Phillip, chief executive of the carnival organisers, described the current preparations as a 'calm time' due to the early planning facilitated by the funding. He noted that for years, the Metropolitan Police had urged carnival organisers to prioritise crowd safety, citing concerns about potential overcrowding. The recent funding from City Hall, including an emergency £1m last year and the £4.6m pledge in March, has allowed for more comprehensive planning and resource allocation. Phillip views the funding as an investment in the carnival's contribution to the London economy, while also expressing a desire for the event to become more self-sufficient.

The organisers have also engaged psychology experts to assist in predicting crowd movements. The enhanced stewarding means that specialist crowd managers, who are stationed along the route, now have a dedicated physical resource to deploy for immediate action, rather than relying solely on police support.