The sun has set on Notting Hill Carnival for another year, with more than 300 arrests made and a “staggering” clean-up operation under way.
Some 313 arrests had been carried out as of 10pm on Monday, the Metropolitan Police said, many relating to drugs and offensive weapons.
The two-day Bank Holiday festivities saw hundreds of thousands of revellers dance their way around the west London carnival route, while there were a number of opportunities for attendees to pay their respects to those who died in the Grenfell Tower fire.
More than 100 of the arrests – 112 – were for drugs offences, while there were 58 arrests for possession of an offensive weapon or knife/blade, 37 public order arrests and 17 common assault arrests.
Some 14 arrests for sexual offences were also carried out, and 17 arrests for assault of police officers.
The numbers are so far lower than in 2016, when more than 450 people were arrested across the two days of festivities.
A total of 28 officers received injuries this year, while police seized a number of knives, batons, CS spray and a hammer.
People observe a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire (Jonathan Brady/PA)
In another incident, three people reported “skin irritation” not thought to be serious, while two more were hurt in a subsequent stampede, when a “mild acidic liquid” was thrown over a number of people near Ladbroke Grove on Sunday evening.
No arrests have yet been made in connection with it.
Overnight, more than 200 people, 30 refuse trucks and a large motorway vehicle to wash down the roads will be used by the council’s contractors SUEZ to clear the streets where carnivalists partied just hours before.
People wearing T-shirts and holding flags honouring the memory of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire during the final day of the Notting Hill Carnival (Jonathan Brady/PA)
By daybreak on Tuesday, an estimated 300 tonnes of rubbish – the weight of 25 London buses – will have been swept from the area.
Councillor Mary Weale, lead council member for communities with responsibility for carnival, said: “This year’s Notting Hill Carnival was different to any other, the Grenfell Tower fire was something that we all thought about.
“However, it was heartening to see the numbers of people that came to carnival and the many who stopped and reflected at the minute’s silence on Sunday and Monday.
“The challenge our council officers and SUEZ face clearing up after one of Europe’s biggest street parties before people head off to work on Tuesday morning is a staggering task.
“I would like to thank all of them for their efforts.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan takes part in a release of doves as a show of respect for those who died in the Grenfell Tower fire, during the Notting Hill Carnival Family Day in west London (Yui Mok/PA)
Dozens of white doves were released to mark the start of the festivities on Sunday, in an emotional opening ceremony that included a performance of Bridge Over Troubled Water.
The colourful parade of floats and revellers halted for a minute’s silence at 3pm on both days to remember those killed in June’s deadly fire just a short distance away.
Those who marked the minute’s silences included firefighters, who removed their helmets and bowed their heads outside North Kensington fire station, before being embraced, congratulated and thanked by carnival goers.
Both periods of reflection ended with spontaneous applause and cheers.
The Lancaster West estate, where the blackened shell of the tower stands, was fenced off from the main carnival procession out of respect for local residents and mourners.