£5.6m police bill for Carnival

Policing the Notting Hill Carnival cost a staggering £5.6million last year, according to new figures.

The cash-strapped Metropolitan Police were forced to deploy more than 10,000 officers to tackle the risks to public safety.

The total was £1million more than the previous year, making the operation the most expensive for a single event in the history of the Met. In addition to police, 500 civil staff were involved.

It outstripped the cost of policing the events which marked the death of the Queen Mother in March. Then 7,955 and 1,302 civilian staff were involved.

The disclosures provoked strong reactions today, with critics calling for drastic cost savings and supporters saying Carnival is worth every penny.

Eric Ollerenshaw, the Tory leader on the London Assembly, said: "I think it is an outrageous figure. I am totally in favour of Carnival but there must be questions asked. The Carnival Trust is apparently having to turn away sponsors but the poor old council tax payer is having to pay all these millions for policing. One should also consider the number of officers extracted from other areas of London which so desperately need them."

The force has been desperate for more money to increase the number of officers on the street.

Glen Smyth, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, called for urgent changes. "It is awfully expensive to police but we had to have those officers there. With all the risks of crushing and the crime that has occurred, I think Carnival is a disaster waiting to happen."

But Lee Jasper, the Mayor's policing adviser, said Carnival should not be examined in isolation. "In terms of cost and the level of physical injury, one should contrast Carnival with events such as the riots at Millwall and demonstrations against the BNP. Both were very expensive."

He said the recent review - which has altered the Carnival route to allay safety fears - will make Carnival easier to police. "We have had the most vigorous public safety review of Carnival in its history," he said. "Carnival is a cultural spectacular which contributes a massive amount to good race relations in London. It is worth every penny."

Toby Harris, chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, said costs have been rising over a number of years. He said the Government may provide some funding to offset the cost of major operations because they are considered to be national events. Costs at the Notting Hill Carnival are particularly high because the final day falls on a bank holiday and officers receive enhanced payments. "The changes will make it easier to police although you can never absolutely guarantee public safety. You take all reasonable steps."

A report by Commissioner Sir John Stevens reveals the massive intelligence operation. Twenty-four people thought likely to commit crimes at the event were arrested beforehand. Four suspects were found to have weapons such as a semi-automatic shotgun and ammunition. The number of crimes recorded fell 24 per cent. Serious assaults were 82 per cent down, assaults were halved and robberies dropped by 43 per cent.

Following the review ordered by Mayor Ken Livingstone, the new route will begin at the top of Ladbroke Grove, proceeding along Westbourne Grove, Chepstow Road and dispersing in the Harrow Road.