Notting Hill Carnival may get park venue

Paul Kelso
Wednesday February 14, 2001
The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/carnival2001/story/0,1166,540880,00.html

The Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's biggest street party, may be rerouted to one of London's royal parks under plans being considered by the Greater London Authority.

With fears growing for the long-term future of the carnival, the GLA has drawn up other possible routes for the famous procession of floats and sound systems.

The intention is to disperse the huge crowds away from the tight residential streets of west London, where two men were murdered last year. Greg Watson, 21, was stabbed to death on the final evening of the carnival, shortly after Abdul Bhatti, 28, a salesman, was left with fatal injuries by a gang who beat him. There were 11 stabbings over the August bank holiday weekend in Notting Hill, and 132 robberies, up from 13 in 1999.

The rise in violent crime led to claims the carnival was not effectively policed because officers were concerned they would be labelled racist if they used stop and search powers. But an independent review group, headed by Lee Jasper, mayor Ken Livingstone's adviser on race relations, has concluded that a more effective dispersal of crowds would reduce violence.

To this end new routes are being considered including leading floats to Hyde Park or to grounds near Wormwood Scrubs prison, to the north- west of Notting Hill. Options include organising other music events across the capital to draw people away from Notting Hill.

The interim report recommended that while Notting Hill should remain the heart of the procession a non-circular route ending in an open space would help crowd dispersal.

It also recommended a system of stewarding that would allow police to concentrate on crime rather than crowd control. The first day of the event, the Sunday, should be more family friendly, with fewer sound systems and commercial floats.

"The report's findings represent a consensus view of what is needed for Carnival 2001," Mr Jasper said. "It was felt by all that in recent years, carnival has become the victim of its own success. What began as a spontaneous celebration has grown into Europe's largest street festival.

"Our primary concern has been that carnival must be a safe and enjoyable occasion for participants, visitors and residents alike, young and old."

The royal parks agency questioned whether Hyde Park could cope with the crowds, even though it is a regular venue for live music in the summer. William Weston, the agency's chief executive, said: "There are significant hurdles to be overcome. But we are happy to explore, with the review group, how and if these problems might be overcome."