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Notting Hill Carnival arrests hit 10-year high

Published:Thursday | September 1, 2016 | 4:15 PM
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AP
Dancers from the ELIMU float parade down Chepstow Road during the second and final day of the Notting Hill Carnival, in London on Monday, August 29.
AP
A reveller takes part in the Monday parade during the second and final day of the 2016 Notting Hill Carnival.
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LONDON (AP)

London police arrested 454 people during the two-day Notting Hill Carnival as stabbings and drug offences marred the Caribbean-inspired street party.

The Metropolitan Police reported on Tuesday that the arrests were the highest number in more than a decade and attributed the increase to tighter laws on psychoactive drugs, including nitrous oxide.

Authorities said there were 15 violent injuries involving a knife or a blade.

A 14 year-old boy was among those facing charges for a string of knife attacks starting Sunday. Among the wounded were three teenage boys and a 20 year-old man.

Commander Dave Musker, who was in charge of the policing operation, said that the policing ensured that the celebration was not "spoilt by a small minority" who wanted to use the distraction of the carnival to commit crimes.

Police also highlighted the creation of "an anti-social behaviour dispersal zone" and issued 47 people with notices to leave the area and not return for a set period of time.

The annual west London celebration of reggae music, steel drums and dancers evokes the neighbourhood's West Indies heritage.