It is a “disgrace” that police officers were attacked with blood and bottles at Notting Hill Carnival, a rank-and-file group leader has said.
The bank holiday weekend event in west London saw 28 police officers injured, with bottles and other objects thrown at them, blood spat at them and a potentially acidic substance thrown at them.
It has led Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh to ask: “What other event would be allowed to carry on regardless with so many police colleagues under attack?”
He said he suspected the true figure of officers injured on duty during the two-day carnival will end up being more than 28 – the number released by the Metropolitan Police on Monday night.
In a statement released on Tuesday, he said: “The Met have put out a statement saying 28 of our colleagues were injured over the weekend at the Notting Hill Carnival. As almost a matter of fact. As if this is the norm. As if this is acceptable.
“It is none of the above. It is a disgrace. Twenty-eight brave colleagues went to work this weekend and were attacked for just doing their job. This is not normal. This is not acceptable.
“There are now so many officers being injured every year at the carnival – with more than 40 last year and let’s not forget that an officer was stabbed in 2015. What other event would be allowed to carry on regardless with so many police colleagues under attack?”
The Metropolitan Police Federation represents 32,000 officers in London.
Mr Marsh, who spent Monday at the carnival, said the Metropolitan Police has a responsibility to look after its officers.
“A huge number of officers are getting attacked every year at this event,” he added.
“The service knows this is going to happen and send officers to this event knowing this is going to happen. Something needs to be done. We can’t carry on like this.”
People observe a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire (Jonathan Brady/PA)
Mr Marsh said he would be taking the issue up with every level of the Met and the London Mayor’s Office.
“Enough is enough,” he went on.
“Politicians and commanding officers are quick with their platitudes and praise for our members but what we want to see are tangible measures to reduce the number of officers under attack.”
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.”