Mum stabbed at Notting Hill Carnival was attending with her young child

A mother fighting for her life in hospital was stabbed at Notting Hill Carnival after attending the event with her young child.

The Metropolitan Police said to expect a heavy police presence on the second day of the Carnival after three people were stabbed on Sunday.

Police added that they “very narrowly avoided a fatality” when the 32-year-old mother was stabbed. She remains in a life-threatening condition.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is in charge of the Carnival policing operation, said his officers are “tired of seeing crime scenes at Carnival”.

Dancers in colourful costumes took part in the carnival’s adult’s parade on Monday. / Credit: PA

“Yesterday we saw the first day of Carnival marred by unacceptable violence. Three people were stabbed and we only very narrowly avoided a fatality,” he said.

“This was supposed to be ‘family day’ – a celebration suitable for all ages. One of those in hospital, a 32-year-old woman whose condition remains critical, was at Carnival with her young child.

“We are tired of saying the same words every year. We are tired of telling families that their loved ones are seriously injured, or worse. We are tired of seeing crime scenes at Carnival.”

Along with the mother, a 29-year-old man sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while police await an update on the condition of a 24-year-old man who was also stabbed.

Participants taking part in the Children’s Day Parade, part of the Notting Hill Carnival / Credit: PA

There were 104 arrests on Sunday, Scotland Yard said, adding that 18 of its officers had been assaulted,

Arrests were made for a range of alleged crimes including assault on an emergency worker, assault, possession with intent to supply, sexual offences and robbery, the police said.

On Monday, as of 10.50pm, there had been five stabbings at the event, two incidents where victims sustained slash wounds and one incident involving a corrosive substance, the Met said.

The force said two of those who were stabbed are in a life threatening condition. while the 32-year-old woman stabbed on Sunday also remains in a life threatening condition.

There were 230 arrests on Monday as of 10.45pm, again for a wide range of offenses including possession of an offensive weapon, assault on an emergency worker and theft offences.

Three firearms have been recovered, on Monday, two at Carnival and one during a vehicle stop in Harrow involving individuals believed to be on their way to the event, while at least 41 other weapons were seized.

A man wanted in connection with an attempted murder in Hackney, east London, in July was stopped and arrested after being spotted by officers at the event.

Some attendees on Monday were made to walk through metal-detecting “knife arches” as they arrived at the event.

Officers standing in pairs were dotted along the streets, while a police helicopter hovered above throughout the day.

Mr Adelekan added: “Carnival is a community event and the vast majority of people come to celebrate, to dance, to enjoy music and have a fantastic experience.

“It is the responsibility of all who value this event, who want to see it as the celebration it should be, to speak out and speak up about the violence that continues to overshadow it.

“Whether it is information about a previous incident now under investigation, or information about someone coming to Carnival today to commit crime, please tell us.

Notting Hill Carnival has been running for more than 50 years. / Credit: PA

“If you know anything that could help us, please call the police directly or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously. It is no exaggeration to say that you could save a life by doing so.”

The carnival is Europe’s biggest street party and is billed by organisers as “the greatest community-led event on the planet”.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan described the carnival as “part of the very fabric of our city and an amazing way to bring communities together”.

Around a million people are expected to attend over the bank holiday weekend with about 7,000 officers on duty across the celebrations.

Police officers during the Children’s Day Parade, part of the Notting Hill Carnival celebration / Credit: PA

Thousands of people thronged the area for Adults’ Day on Monday afternoon, billed as the culmination of the annual celebration of Caribbean heritage, arts and culture, which has been running for over 50 years.

After months of preparation, dancers showed off their flamboyant costumes and floats blasted music for the spectators who blew whistles and horns.

Away from the parade route, vendors cooked up a mix of food on open barbecues, while sound systems played everything from rare groove to house, samba, reggae and ska.