Notting Hill Carnival Faces Security Crisis As Met Police Warn of ‘Significant Concerns’ Over Funding Delays

June 20, 2025: The Metropolitan Police has issued a stark warning over the lack of secured funding for essential crowd safety measures at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival, raising fears of a potential disaster if swift action is not taken.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley flagged “significant concerns” in a report submitted to the London Policing Board, stressing that delays in securing additional funding risk jeopardising safety at Europe’s second-largest street festival. The three-day event, set to begin over the August Bank Holiday weekend, attracts up to a million people to the streets of West London.

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Rowley warned that without adequate funding, the window to hire private stewarding firms—crucial for managing large crowds—is rapidly closing. His comments come amid an escalating standoff between London Mayor Sadiq Khan and the UK Government over who bears responsibility for financing the additional security measures.

The urgency follows a series of crowd control failures during the 2024 carnival, including severe crushing incidents on the final day that sparked fears of a potential “mass casualty event.” A report commissioned by carnival organisers following last year’s event called for immediate improvements, particularly in stewarding and crowd management.

While City Hall already allocates £1 million annually to support carnival safety, additional contributions from local councils and new funding streams have yet to materialise. The Government has stated that further funding must come from the mayor’s office.

At Mayor’s Question Time, Conservative leader at City Hall, Susan Hall, described the carnival as “a disaster waiting to happen.” In response, Mayor Khan acknowledged he was “frightened” by 2024 CCTV footage of the crowd crush, likening it to scenes from the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.

Rowley’s report notes that the Metropolitan Police began planning for this year’s carnival immediately after the last one concluded, recognising the significance of the event in celebrating Caribbean culture. However, he underscored that without implementing Phase One recommendations of the recent crowd safety review, the event’s viability is at risk.

“The event should be effectively stewarded,” Rowley insisted, reiterating that the Met is supporting the Notting Hill Carnival Trust and City Hall in seeking funding solutions. Phase One of the independent review, published in April, focused on short-term crowd safety and role clarity, while Phase Two will propose longer-term improvements over the next two to five years.

As preparations continue, the Metropolitan Police emphasised that securing immediate funds for critical safety enhancements is essential to ensure the carnival goes ahead safely in 2025.

Key Points:

• Met Police warn of growing risk without urgent funding for security.
• 2024 carnival saw dangerous crowd crushes and two murders.
• Carnival draws around 1 million attendees each year.
• Mayor Khan and UK Government at odds over who funds extra security.
• Independent safety review urged immediate action; Phase Two to follow.