The Metropolitan Police say this year’s Notting Hill Carnival saw a sharp decline in serious violent incidents, with live facial recognition (LFR) and other expanded security measures credited for the improvement. The two-day festival resulted in 423 arrests, including 52 linked directly to the use of LFR technology.
Enhanced Security Operations
Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward, who oversaw policing operations, said the strategy was aimed at preventing harm before it occurred. “This year we have proactively targeted those who have attempted to come to Carnival to cause harm to others,” Ward stated. “We have used live facial recognition, knife arches and our stop and search powers to identify and arrest more than 400 suspects.”
Police confirmed that LFR was deployed on approaches to and from the event, not within the crowd itself. Knife arches were set up at key entry points, and officers carried out widespread stop-and-search checks. British Transport Police also increased their presence and deployed a dedicated drone team, resulting in 30 arrests across the two days. In total, officers reported 200 arrests on Sunday and 223 on Monday.
Two stabbings were recorded, one in Powis Terrace and another in Oxford Gardens, though neither victim suffered life-threatening injuries. Compared to 2024, which saw multiple fatalities, officials described 2025 as markedly safer.
Debate Over Facial Recognition
The deployment of LFR at Carnival comes amid heightened scrutiny of the technology. Just days before the event, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) warned that the Met’s use of facial recognition may breach UK human rights laws, raising concerns about privacy, freedom of assembly, and the risk of bias against women and people of color. The watchdog has launched a legal challenge to the practice.
Critics also questioned the evidence used to justify deployment. Professor Pete Fussey, a policing and surveillance expert, argued that the Met’s claim that its LFR system is free of bias is not supported by robust statistical analysis.
Despite these concerns, the Met has pointed to “far fewer incidents of serious violence” at this year’s carnival as evidence of LFR’s effectiveness. Supporters of the technology say its ability to identify wanted suspects and prevent weapons from entering crowded areas makes it a valuable policing tool.
Festival Atmosphere Preserved
Even with heightened security, organizers noted that the carnival retained its celebratory atmosphere. Temperatures reached 26°C as thousands gathered to watch the parades, with traditional bands, floats, and performances representing the diverse cultural diasporas of London. As Europe’s largest street festival, Notting Hill Carnival continues to combine community celebration with one of the most complex annual policing operations in the UK.
Sources: Evening Standard, ITV News, Metropolitan Police
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By Ali Nassar-Smith
