Organisers of iconic Notting Hill Carnival – Europe’s biggest street festival – warn that without urgent government funding to address critical safety concerns, the future of the Notting Hill Carnival could be at serious risk
The future of the iconic Notting Hill Carnival is “in jeopardy” without urgent government funding, its organisers have warned, raising alarm over escalating safety concerns and mounting pressure on the Metropolitan Police.
In a leaked letter obtained by the BBC, carnival chair Ian Comfort urged Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to provide immediate financial support to secure the future of Europe’s biggest street party, which draws nearly two million attendees over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Comfort described the funding as “essential to safeguarding the future and public safety of this iconic event,” referencing findings from an independent safety review commissioned by organisers. The review, which was funded jointly by the Greater London Authority (GLA), Kensington and Chelsea Council, and Westminster Council, reportedly raised “critical public safety concerns” but has yet to be published in full. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it would “respond to the letter in due course.”
Organisers say the event, which celebrates Caribbean culture and heritage, is being pushed to the brink by rising costs and logistical demands. Citing the London Assembly’s own report from April, Comfort said the Metropolitan Police are under “increasing strain” when overseeing large-scale events like Carnival. The report noted that the Met’s resources had not increased in line with operational demands, compounding the pressure on officers.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist, who oversees the force’s response to the Carnival, previously warned of the risk of a “mass casualty event” due to extreme crowd density. Speaking to the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee in September, Twist said that while headlines often focused on crime during Carnival, it was the threat posed by overcrowding that most concerned senior officers.
“While we acknowledge that crime often gets the headlines, the thing that worries me most is the crowd density and the potential for a mass casualty event,” he said.
Comfort’s letter emphasised the urgent need for increased stewarding and crowd management resources, allowing police to focus on their primary duties of crime prevention and public protection. He warned that without this additional support, the safety of the event — and its very existence — could be at risk.
Although the GLA and local councils have historically supported stewarding efforts, Comfort noted they “can no longer meet the growing operational requirements identified in the review.” “A co-ordinated, well-resourced safety approach is essential to protect attendees at what is a major national event,” he wrote.
Despite its cultural significance and international reputation, the Carnival has never received direct government funding, although it has benefited from grants via bodies such as Arts Council England. If Comfort’s request is approved, it would mark the first instance of direct central government support for the event.
The policing operation for the 2024 Carnival involved around 7,000 officers on duty across the event, amounting to over 14,000 officer shifts. Yet this substantial deployment has not been matched with proportional government support, according to the London Assembly’s findings.
Committee chair Susan Hall echoed concerns during the report’s launch in April, saying: “It is absolutely essential that the Met is on hand to carry out its duties, and not fill in for a lack of stewarding from the organisers.”
Notting Hill Carnival, which dates back to 1966, is a cornerstone of multicultural London, featuring vibrant parades, calypso and soca music, elaborate costumes, and Caribbean street food. Its economic impact is also substantial, contributing an estimated £100 million to the capital’s economy each year, according to previous GLA assessments.
As the 2025 event approaches, organisers are calling for an urgent review of funding mechanisms to ensure the Carnival’s legacy is not lost to operational shortfalls. “There is a real risk,” Comfort concluded, “that without immediate investment and collaboration, one of the world’s great cultural celebrations could be compromised — or even cancelled.”
