The London Assembly’s police committee chair has called for an independent, time‑bound review and raised the prospect of ticketing to curb dangerous crowd density and reduce pressure on stretched officers after policing and medical incidents at the 2024 carnival, including a fatal stabbing.
Susan Hall, the London Assembly Conservative who chairs the Police and Crime Committee, has renewed a call for radical changes to how Notting Hill Carnival is run, saying the long‑standing two‑day street festival should be considered for ticketing to reduce the risk of a fatal crowd crush. According to her report, the event in recent years has “narrowly avoided a mass crush on the scale of the Hillsborough disaster”, a warning carried through the committee’s work and reflected in a wider review of public order policing.
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The Met has for some time warned that density at certain pinch points creates a credible risk of a “mass casualty event”, and the London Assembly has called on the Mayor to commission an independent review of crowd numbers and stewarding arrangements. The Assembly’s April 22, 2025 press release urged specific action on steward numbers, stewarding guidance and the identification and mitigation of the most dangerous chokepoints on carnival routes.
– Paragraph 2 – [6], [1]
Policing statistics from the 2024 carnival underpin those concerns. The Metropolitan Police’s operational update records dozens of violent incidents across the two days: eight stabbings, multiple serious assaults and weapons recoveries, a large operational policing deployment and several dozen officers injured. The Met’s public statement recorded hundreds of arrests, while the BBC’s contemporaneous reporting cited 334 arrests and around 50 officers reported injured. The most serious criminal outcome was the stabbing of 32‑year‑old Cher Maximen on 25 August 2024; she was taken to hospital in a critical condition and died on 31 August, prompting a specialist murder investigation and a subsequent charging.
– Paragraph 3 – [2], [4], [3]
Frontline officers have been outspoken about the toll of policing the carnival. The Metropolitan Police Federation compiled a 24‑page dossier drawing on survey responses and testimony from officers who work the event; it reported that a very high proportion of respondents said they felt unsafe and described frequent assaults and harassment. The federation’s deputy general secretary, Simon Hill, said the exercise was intended to provide “concrete evidence” of officers’ experiences after years of anecdotal concern. Federation material also reproduces officers’ calls for changes to reduce risk to both staff and members of the public.
– Paragraph 4 – [5], [2]
Those pressing for change face an immediate, and vocal, counter‑argument: carnival organisers and many in the local community insist the event is community‑led and culturally important, and that formal restrictions such as ticketing would fundamentally alter its character. A City Hall Conservative group has put ticketing and tighter governance back on the table as a practical solution to crowd control and to reduce policing costs; organisers replied by inviting critics to observe their Event Liaison Team during carnival operations and stressing the long history of community organisation behind the event. A Mayor of London spokesperson told national press that the carnival “ultimately belongs to the community” and that the Mayor continues to work with partners to protect both safety and cultural importance.
– Paragraph 5 – [7], [1]
There are clear trade‑offs. Ticketing would allow organisers and police to cap numbers, introduce allocated access points, and strengthen stewarding and medical provision — but it would also bring logistical complexity, potential exclusion of long‑standing community participants and a significant shift away from the free, open street ethos that many argue defines Notting Hill. The Assembly’s review suggests a middle path of targeted, evidence‑based changes first: better mapping of pinch points, increased steward numbers, clearer steward training and greater transparency about police deployments and resource abstraction, alongside stronger enforcement against weapon carriage and violent offending.
– Paragraph 6 – [7], [1], [6]
For now, the immediate ask from the Assembly and policing representatives is procedural: commission an independent, time‑bound review of crowd density and stewarding practices and publish an action plan before the next bank‑holiday carnival. The Assembly set out its recommendations in April 2025 and called on City Hall to act; the federation and the Met say the priority must be protecting officers and the public from preventable harm. Whichever route is chosen, organisers, City Hall and the police will need to bridge deeply held differences about community ownership and public safety if a lasting solution is to be found.
– Paragraph 7 – [6], [5]
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2094493/top-tory-warns-notting-hill-carnival-crush – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://news.met.police.uk/news/notting-hill-carnival-update-on-incidents-and-arrests-487332 – This Metropolitan Police news release provides a factual breakdown of incidents and arrests at the Notting Hill Carnival in August 2024. It confirms 61 assaults on officers over the two day event, details the number and types of serious assaults and stabbings, and lists a total of 349 arrests with a category-by-category table. The release describes injuries to officers and members of the public, weapon-related offences including possession of firearms, and notes the operational policing presence deployed to manage the crowds. It aims to inform the public about policing outcomes and provide transparency about law enforcement activity at the carnival.
- https://news.met.police.uk/news/death-of-woman-stabbed-at-notting-hill-carnival-487489 – The Metropolitan Police news statement reports the death of a 32-year-old woman, Cher Maximen, who was stabbed during the Notting Hill Carnival on 25 August. Officers administered emergency first aid before paramedics arrived and she was taken to hospital in critical condition, later dying on 31 August. The statement records the subsequent investigation being led by the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, the arrest of Shakiel Thibou, and the charging process including court appearances. It emphasises the seriousness with which detectives treated the incident, provides dates and investigatory updates, and seeks to inform the public about progress in the criminal proceedings.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c07e55159kro – The BBC report summarises Metropolitan Police figures from the Notting Hill Carnival in August 2024, noting eight stabbings and 334 arrests across the two-day event. It records that three people were stabbed on Sunday, including a young mother who remained in a critical condition, and five on Monday with two critically injured. The article states that around 50 officers were reported injured and cites police concerns about very dense crowds and a minority committing criminal acts. It describes measures taken to reduce crime including enhanced stop-and-search powers and removal of face coverings, while noting the celebratory nature of most attendees.
- https://metfed.org.uk/news/metropolitan-police-officers-have-their-say-on-notting-hill-carnival-safety – This Metropolitan Police Federation webpage announces a 24-page dossier compiling officers’ views on policing Notting Hill Carnival, based on survey responses, quotations and crime statistics. It highlights officers’ fears, reporting that 89% feel unsafe and around 29% had been assaulted while policing the event, and reproduces candid frontline testimony describing assaults, sexual offences and abuse. Deputy General Secretary Simon Hill explains the rationale for surveying members and the federation’s intention to share findings with Scotland Yard and City Hall. The page also summarises recent incident totals from the carnival and outlines the federation’s concerns about officer welfare and public safety.
- https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/london-assembly-publications/review-notting-hill-carnival-crowd-numbers-mass-casualty-event-occurs – The London Assembly press release of 22 April 2025 reports findings from the Police and Crime Committee’s investigation into public order policing, highlighting Notting Hill Carnival as a significant concern. It states the Met has consistently warned of a possible ‘mass casualty event’ due to crowd density and insufficient stewarding, and urges the Mayor to commission a review of crowd density and safety. The release summarises key recommendations including reviewing pinch points, steward numbers and stewarding guidance, and calls for increased funding and transparency around police abstraction. Susan Hall, chair of the committee, is quoted urging action to prevent tragedy.
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/notting-hill-carnival-ticketed-hillsborough-conservatives-mayor-b2806125.html – The Independent reports on a City Hall Conservative group proposal suggesting Notting Hill Carnival should be ticketed or more formally governed to reduce crowd risk, citing Susan Hall’s report. It quotes a Mayor of London spokesperson emphasising that the carnival ‘ultimately belongs to the community’ and noting the Mayor works with partners to ensure safety and cultural importance. The article records organisers inviting Ms Hall to visit the Event Liaison Team headquarters during carnival to observe operations. It outlines concerns about rising crime, policing costs and the need for funding changes, while including responses from organisers defending their community-led status.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent concerns about crowd safety at the Notting Hill Carnival, with references to events from April 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is April 22, 2025, when the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee called for a safety review of the carnival due to fears of a ‘mass casualty event’. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/safety-notting-hill-carnival-met-police-mass-casualty-event-crush-london-assembly-b1223546.html?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, if earlier versions show different figures, dates, or quotes, these discrepancies should be flagged. Additionally, if the article includes updated data but recycles older material, this should be noted.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Susan Hall, the London Assembly Conservative who chairs the Police and Crime Committee. A search reveals that similar statements from Hall regarding the safety concerns at the Notting Hill Carnival have been reported in previous months, indicating that these quotes may have been reused. If identical quotes appear in earlier material, this should be flagged as potentially reused content. If quote wording varies, note the differences. If no online matches are found, raise the score but flag as potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Express, a UK-based tabloid newspaper. While it is a well-known publication, its reputation for accuracy and reliability is often questioned. Therefore, the source’s reliability is uncertain. If the narrative originates from an obscure, unverifiable, or single-outlet narrative, flag the uncertainty. If a person, organisation, or company mentioned in the report cannot be verified online (e.g., no public presence, records, or legitimate website), flag as potentially fabricated.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative discusses concerns about crowd safety at the Notting Hill Carnival, referencing incidents from the 2024 event. Similar concerns have been reported by reputable sources, such as the BBC, which highlighted the risk of a ‘mass casualty’ crowd crush at the carnival. ([bbc.co.uk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2891zgqdwo?utm_source=openai)) However, the narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which should be flagged. Additionally, if the report lacks specific factual anchors (e.g., names, institutions, dates), reduce the score and flag as potentially synthetic. If language or tone feels inconsistent with the region or topic—e.g., strange phrasing, wrong spelling variant—flag as suspicious. If the structure includes excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim, note this as a possible distraction tactic. If the tone is unusually dramatic, vague, or doesn’t resemble typical corporate or official language, flag for further scrutiny.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents concerns about crowd safety at the Notting Hill Carnival, referencing recent events and statements from Susan Hall. While similar concerns have been reported by reputable sources, the narrative originates from a tabloid newspaper with questionable reliability. The quotes may have been reused from earlier reports, and the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets raises questions about the narrative’s credibility. Therefore, further verification is needed to assess the accuracy and reliability of the claims made.
