Notting Hill Carnival 2016: Thousands turn out for Grande Finale after five stabbings and 100 arrests mar first day

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Sebastian Mann29 August 2016

Thousands of revellers descended on Notting Hill today after the first day of Carnival was marred by violence.

The Grande Finale comes after more than 100 people were arrested and five men or boys were stabbed in four knife attacks on Sunday as revellers enjoyed the annual street party’s “Children’s Day”.

After one assault in Wornington Road, a 15-year-old boy was taken to hospital with critical injuries before being declared stable. A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of GBH, police said.

The three other incidents included a knife attack on Portobello Road in which a 20-year-old man was injured and a double stabbing in Ladbroke Grove which saw two boys suffer minor injuries.

Altogether there were 105 arrests on the first day of the event, including 74 for alleged drugs offences, 24 for possession of a blade and four sexual offences, a Scotland Yard spokeswoman said.

A dancer in Jamaican colours moves down the street during the final day of the festival
Getty

According to the London Ambulance Service, a total of 411 patients were treated including 74 who were taken to hospital.

By Monday afternoon, police said a further 51 people had been arrested on suspicion of offences including ABH and theft.

Bank Holiday Monday’s festivities mark the Grand Finale of the west London event's 50th anniversary, which has this year hosted 60 bands and 38 sound systems.

Police presence: Officers on patrol on Sunday
Isabel Infantes/PA Wire

On Sunday, families gathered in fancy dress and face paint to watch the parades dedicated especially to children.

Simo Lagnawi, from Morocco, attracted a large crowd as he performed along the streets with his band Gnawa London.

Thousands turned out for annual street party
Getty

He said: "The origin of our music is in slavery. It's very powerful. We go everywhere we can to play our music and show what it's about.

"We always have a great time wherever we play."

Getty

Annuar Aziz, a businessman from Malaysia, stumbled upon the event by accident with his wife and four young children while on holiday.

He said: "It's excellent. We are loving the free spirit of everyone and we have all been dancing.

"We didn't even know it was happening," Mr Aziz, 41 explained.

"We just arrived to London after visiting the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh.

"We heard the music from where we are staying in Bayswater and just followed the sound."

A heavy police presence will continue into Monday as the Met has introduced advanced security measures, including a facial recognition system.

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