Elite royal protection cops called in to work Notting Hill Carnival amid growing concerns over event safety
The personal protection officers are being brought in over fears of violence or crowd-crushing at the three-day street party.
They will work alongside approximately 7,000 Met Police officers at the carnival, which is expected to attract crowds of upwards of two million people, The Telegraph reported.
Since many of the officers in the Royal and Specialist Protection (RaSP) command are plain clothes officers, they have had to squeeze into old ill-fitting uniforms or be issued new ones specially for the event.
A number have also required training on how to use bodycams, since body-worn video (BWV) is not mandatory in some RaSP roles.
The decision to employ the vast majority of the elite officers as 'glorified stewards' has not been received well by those working within these units.
One source said: 'They will essentially be working as glorified stewards but they don't have any choice in the matter. It's an order from the top but it could hardly be less welcome.'
'Notting Hill is the least popular job of the year. It's not an exaggeration to say that the vast majority of officers hate working at Notting Hill, even those who do regular public order work.
'The shifts are very long, the conditions are really stressful and it is a pretty thankless role. The crowds seem to get bigger every year and it is extremely difficult to move around.'
Nearly 90 per cent of Metropolitan Police officers who responded to a survey last year said they had felt unsafe while working at the annual festival, while 28.78 per cent had been assaulted.
Descriptions of working at the event ranged from 'Hell. It's a war zone we are sent into year after year' to 'Dangerous. Officers are treated as lambs to slaughter'.
One officer said the police operation was 'overstretched, ineffective and an exercise in self-torture', while another claimed they 'would rather crawl naked through broken glass'.
Two million revellers flock to the streets of west London over the August bank holiday weekend every year to enjoy the festival, which is rooted in Caribbean culture.
However, the celebration has been marred by serious violence, excessive drinking, drug use and destruction of property.
There were two murders, eight stabbings and 349 arrests this year and 61 officers were assaulted, the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers and carried out the survey, said.
However, while much of the focus has been on crime and violence, many top ranking officers also fear a crush scenario given the number of attendees squeezed into a relatively small area.
In a report from April 2025, the Met Police's Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said his biggest fear was 'crowd density and the potential for a mass casualty event.'
Susan Hall, the vice chairman of the London Assembly police and crime committee, also claimed that policing the array of pro-Palestine protests had placed an additional burdern on the force.
Yesterday Pro-Palestine activists disrupted the London Pride parade, covering a float with red paint - as almost 30 people were arrested for expressing support for the banned Palestine Action group a day after it was banned.
Four Youth Demand protesters targeted CISCO's truck as they charged the US-based company with 'genocide' and said they have 'no place' at the event.
It comes less than 24 hours after Palestine Action was banned and designated as a terrorist organisation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Danica Patrick sets pulses racing in red bikini as she shows off her patriotic back tattoo on July 4th
Danica Patrick celebrated July 4th by pulling on a red bikini and showing off the American flag tattoo on her back at a family pool party over the weekend. The retired race car driver kicked back and relaxed with dad TJ, mom Bev and her nieces and nephews on Independence Day, with the group soaking up the sun and relaxing in the pool before enjoying a firework show later in the evening. In photos shared on Instagram, Patrick flaunted both her toned physique and her Stars and Stripes ink - which she had tattooed on her after returning to the country with pride following three years in the UK. 'I got that American us / checkered flag tattoo (no Picasso) when I came back from living in the uk for 3 years from 16-19…. Because I was proud and grateful to be home. Thank you to those who make safe and free,' she wrote as the caption. Patrick also enjoyed a round of golf with her younger sister Brooke, her husband Chase and their father over the weekend. As well as being a racing legend, Danica is best known these days for being a vocal supporter of Donald Trump and the Republicans. The retired race car legend showed off the American flag tattoo she has on her lower back Patrick enjoyed Independence Day this year with her dad TJ (left) and mom Bev (right) The 43-year-old was on the campaign trail for Trump throughout late 2023 and all of 2024, attempting to garner support that led to his election victory over Kamala Harris . Last month she recounted her conversation with the president on Instagram after joining him aboard Air Force One, with the former IndyCar driver revealing his one-word answer to a question she had. 'I asked @realdonaldtrump on the flight home from the last rally in Michigan... what is the most important quality of being in office was, and he said..... courage,' she said on Instagram. Patrick's support of Trump has been fiercely loyal, including when she backed his decision to bomb Iran last month after years of condemning America's involvement in Middle Eastern wars. Some inside the MAGA camp did not approve, but Patrick stood by Trump in a series of patriotic online posts following the controversial attack. 'Thank you to all that keep America safe and strong,' she captioned one of the posts, which showed her driving a speed boat with the US flag flapping away in the background.
Glasgow Times
16 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Nearly 60 Glasgow streets to close for Spider-Man filming
Motorists are being urged to plan ahead as it is rumoured that film crews for the upcoming Spider-Man film will descend on the city later this month. The highly anticipated sequel, titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day, will see Tom Holland reprise his iconic role, with direction from Destin Daniel Cretton. READ MORE: TV star pictured at plush Glasgow restaurant while on trip from Hollywood It is also believed that Stranger Things star Sadie Sink will appear alongside Holland. Filming is scheduled to officially begin on August 1, but the shoot will result in widespread disruption for more than two weeks, with road closures, parking bans, and bus lane suspensions in place across the city centre. Glasgow City Council has confirmed that traffic diversions will be in place and warned that bus and taxi lanes will also be impacted. Delays and congestion are expected, particularly around key commuter routes. For the safety of pedestrians, a prohibition of pedestrian movements will also be enforced during periods of filming action. (Image: Newsquest) This restriction will apply to the same areas detailed under the Prohibition of Vehicle Movements section and will be in force only while action is taking place. Pedestrians are advised to follow all on-site signage and instructions from stewards or film crew personnel during these periods for their own safety and to avoid disruption to filming. It is currently unknown who will be travelling to Glasgow. READ MORE: More details as 'Spider-Man 4' filming to shut Glasgow roads The Glasgow Times previously reported that residents and businesses in the city centre had been notified that a production will shut down the area. On the papers, the project is only referred to as a "feature film". Glasgow City Council and the officials from the London-based production company both said they would not be able to confirm which film will use the set. However, the phrase Blue Oasis has been spotted on the written notices, which was reportedly the working title for the newest Marvel film in the past (Image: Newsquest) A full list of the roads affected is here: Prohibition of waiting, loading and unloading From 3pm on July 31 until 11.59pm on August 15 Bothwell Street between Pitt Street and Hope Street Wellington Street between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street West Campbell Street between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street Blythswood Street between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street Douglas Street between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street Pitt Street between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street (southbound closed) St Peter's Lane for its full length Bothwell Lane between Blythswood Street and Wellington Street St Vincent Lane between Hope Street and Pitt Street Waterloo Lane for its full length Prohibition of vehicle movements From 5am on August 1 until 10pm on August 9 Bothwell Street between Pitt Street and Hope Street Wellington Street between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street West Campbell Street between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street Blythswood Street between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street Douglas Street between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street Pitt Street between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street St Peter's Lane for its full length Bothwell Lane between Blythswood Street and Wellington Street St Vincent Lane between Hope Street and Pitt Street Waterloo Lane for its full length Prohibition of waiting, loading and unloading From 3pm on August 7 until 11.59pm on August 9 Blythswood Street between Waterloo Street and Argyle Street Cadogan Street between Wellington Street and Douglas Street West Campbell Street between Waterloo Street and Argyle Street Prohibition of vehicle movements From 5am on August 9 until 10pm on August 9 Cadzow Street for its full length Oak Street for its full length Prohibition of waiting, loading and unloading From 3pm on August 8 until 11.59pm on August 10 Queen Street between Ingram Street and George Square South Frederick between Ingram Street and George Square St Vincent Lane between Wellington Street and Hope Street West Nile Street between West George Street and Gordon Street Ingram Street between Queen Street and Glassford Street Prohibition of waiting, loading and unloading From 3pm on August 8 until 11.59pm on August 13 Bothwell Street between Wellington Street and Hope Street Drury Street for its full length Hope Street between Waterloo Street and West George Street Renfield Lane for its full length Renfield Street between West George Street and Gordon Street St Vincent Lane between Wellington Street and Renfield Street St Vincent Street between George Square and Wellington Street Waterloo Lane between Waterloo Street and Bothwell Street West George Lane between Wellington Street and Hope Street Prohibition of vehicle movements From 12am on August 9 until 11.59pm on August 10 Bothwell Street between Wellington Street and Hope Street Drury Street for its full length Hope Street between Waterloo Street and West George Street Queen Street between Ingram Street and George Square Renfield Lane for its full length Renfield Street between West George Street and Gordon Street South Frederick between Ingram Street and George Square (northbound closed) St Vincent Lane between Wellington Street and Renfield Street St Vincent Street between George Square and Wellington Street St Vincent Lane for its full length Waterloo Lane between Waterloo Street and Bothwell Street West George Lane between Wellington Street and Renfield Street West Nile Street between West George Street and Gordon Street Ingram Street between Queen Street and Glassford Street (westbound closed) Revocation of one-way to make it temporarily a two-way From 12am on August 9 until 11.59pm on August 13 Drury Street for its full length Prohibition of vehicle movements From 12am on August 11 until 6pm on August 13 St Vincent Street between West Nile Street and Wellington Street Bothwell Street between Wellington Street and Hope Street Drury Street for its full length Hope Street between Waterloo Street and West George Street West George Lane between Wellington Street and Hope Street St. Vincent Lane between Wellington Street and Hope Street Renfield Lane for its full length Renfield Street between West George Street and Gordon Street St Vincent Lane for its full length Waterloo Lane between Waterloo Street and Bothwell Street Suspension of bus lane regulations From 6am on August 9 until 11.59pm on August 13 Hope Street, northbound between Waterloo Street and Gordon Street Prohibition of waiting, loading and unloading From 3pm on August 12 until 11.59pm on August 16 Wilson Street for its full length Brunswick Street for its full length Hutchison Street between Trongate and Garth Street Prohibition of vehicle movements From 6am on August 13 until 11.59pm on August 16 Wilson Street for its full length Brunswick Street for its full length Hutchison Street between Trongate and Garth Street Candleriggs between Ingram Street and Bell Street Revocation of one way to make it temporarily a two-way From 6am on August 14 until 4pm on August 16 Bell Street between Candleriggs and Albion Street Prohibition of vehicle movements by use of traffic management stop-and-go From 9.30am on August 14 until 4pm on August 14 and from 9.30am on August 15 until 4pm on August 15 Glassford Street northbound before Wilson Street Glassford Street southbound before Wilson Street Virginia Street northbound before Wilson Street Virginia Street southbound before Wilson Street Suspension of bus lane regulations From 6am on August 13 until 11.59pm on August 16 Glassford Street, northbound between Trongate and Wilson Street With a film of this scale, Glasgow is expected to receive global attention, but for locals, traffic headaches may lie ahead. Residents and commuters are encouraged to stay updated via Glasgow City Council's official traffic notices.
The Guardian
20 minutes ago
- The Guardian
‘Without a parka, I'll look like an idiot': Oasis fans' fashion at the reunion tour
In the weeks leading up to their first gig for 16 years, Oasis have been busy when it comes to merch. They opened pop-up shops and announced collabs with Levi's, Adidas and Next. The results are plain to see on the streets of Cardiff the afternoon before the long-awaited gig. If they say you are never more than six feet away from a rat in a city, here you are never more than six inches away from that famous Oasis Helvetica Black Oblique logo. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. It's on bucket hats, football shirts, tracksuit tops, T-shirts and, every so often, someone's face. The fanbase goes across generations and demographics. There are those who were there the first time, and teenagers who grew up on their music. Some have travelled for miles – from Italy, Spain, Portugal and the US. If the crowd is largely white, there's a contingent of fans from east Asia. Put together, the hordes marauding on the streets of Cardiff before the 74,500-capacity sell-out gig at the Principality stadium are united by their love for the five Mancunians who will take to the stage. As one fan described, it's like going to a football match where everyone supports the same team. Diversity in the fanbase reveals itself in different ways through what they wear. There are the merch fans, who have bought T-shirts on the day. That's true of Ash Park, Marcus Long and the fortuitously named Joe Gallagher, three friends who have long talked about a potential Oasis reunion. From left: Ash Parker, Marcus Long and Joe Gallagher in their brand new T-shirts Gallagher – who paid £600 for his ticket – says he won't wear the T-shirt beyond the gig but he'll frame it instead. 'It's historic,' he says. Long, meanwhile, is contemplating a tattoo – 'it would probably be something like that,' he says, pointing to the logo with the date of the gig on his T-shirt. Helen Durbin, who is wearing a matching T-shirt to her friend Nicky Thomas, says it will likely have the same fate as a lot of music merch – something to wear to bed. From left: Helen Durbin, Paul Durbin and Nicky Thomas Helen's husband Paul, meanwhile, is in a different design, with the Gallagher brothers looking moody on the front. 'I prefer this one,' referring to the logo'd one his wife has. '[But] I thought it would be a little bit too sweet [to match].' Oasis's own look – or that of the Gallaghers, anyway – has remained set for decades. Part football terrace classics, part Mod, part 90s, its simplicity – and roots in familiar tropes of British menswear – is why it's so influential. It has familiar components that are easy to put together: parkas, shirts, anoraks, Adidas track tops, baggy jeans, football shirts and – of course – the bucket hat. There's a sector of the fanbase that endeavours to bring something of the Gallagher look into their own. 'Cool' is a word mentioned a lot, along with – to quote the band – 'biblical,' as Ricardo Riquier puts it. With his mop of hair and parka from Liam Gallagher's fashion label Pretty Green, Riquier, who travelled from Lisbon, says his style was formed in the 90s. Ricardo Riquier from Portugual 'I never had another hairstyle since I was 15,' he laughs. 'I'll die with this hair.' The parka was a non-negotiable. 'I didn't know how hot or how cold it was going to be, but I'm like 'I'm taking my parka, otherwise I'll look like an idiot.'' Chris Taylor has travelled from Falkirk. He also loves a parka – he says it is 'the best way to cut about'. Chris Taylor from Scotland Today, he signals his long-term fandom with a 'Who the fuck is Liam Gallagher?' T-shirt, from a solo tour around 14 years ago. 'It's vintage, and I keep it in my collector's box,' he says. Taylor appreciates the Gallagher style for its 'arrogance. They do it and others follow.' They certainly do. Sergio Cid and Jairo Velas have travelled from Madrid, and wear the outfits of those who have followed a band for decades – Cid's first gig was Oasis in 1997, when he was 12. He wears a vintage Manchester City shirt similar to one the Gallaghers were photographed wearing in 1994, a bucket hat and – crucially – a denim jacket fastened with a single button at the neck, as worn by Liam for the Familiar to Millions gig in 2000. Sergio Cid, left, and Jairo Velas 'He knows more than me about the details,' says Velas (Cid speaks little English). 'That's why we are really disappointed about the hair. Liam has a shaved head. We're like 'No, you need to bring 2002 back.'' Ethan Besant is also keen on the classic style – he's showing that through an outfit which is dominated by Pretty Green, from the logoed polo shirt to the green parka and the badges on the bucket hat. What does he like about Liam's style? 'He's just cool, isn't he?' he says. Besant appreciates the fact that what the singer wears has not differed hugely for years. 'It's all pretty consistent,' he says. 'I guess when you find your style, you stick to it.' Ethan Besant With the Oasis tour one of the events of the summer, their look is something of a fashion moment too – TikTok is full of videos of users showcasing their outfits. Sportswear retailer JD says searches for 'oasis fashion' were up 913% in June, while Depop says searches for bucket hats are up 61% since last year and – perhaps improbably in a heatwave – searches for parkas are up 1,850%. This take on Oasis style is very much present in Cardiff too – on those who take their style as a jump-off point to make their own look. Tamara Sims bought her denim jacket on Vinted for £20 – with copies of 90s Oasis patches covering it. 'You say what patches you want and they make it for you,' she says. Did Sims want a 'look' to come to the concert? 'I wanted a bit of Adidas,' she says, pointing to her socks, 'and I just bought my bucket hat now.' Jae In Yoo, who has travelled from South Korea, wears her zip-up merch track jacket oversized – 'I like it big' – with a long gingham skirt. She'll add a bucket hat when she goes into the gig. Tamara Sims; and Jae In Yoo Julia Bussi, seen in the main image, has travelled from Italy with three friends. She cut her tour T-shirt into a crop top ('I prefer,' she says) while her friend Eduardo Pane finishes his look with sunglasses that are 'part Matrix, part young Liam'. Lucy Barnett and Ellie Thomas both wear T-shirts from Next, tied at the waist, with lace bubble skirts. 'We wanted it to be feminine but comfy at the same time,' says Barnett. Are Oasis cashing in with all these collabs? '100%,' she says. Lucy Barnett, left, and Ellie Thomas Football shirts – whether real ones, mostly Man City or Oasis merch styled to look like football shirts – are everywhere. Which makes sense: the fact that the football shirt is now an established part of young people's wardrobe is the ripple effect of Oasis style. An image of the brothers in striped Man City shirts in 1994 is familiar to anyone who looks at Britpop style accounts on Instagram. The connection has even gone full circle – as well as the football shirt in the Adidas collaboration, Man City's fourth kit for 24/25 was designed with Noel Gallagher. Those wearing them today appreciate the connection between football and music. Brandon Woodman and Jamie Winter have travelled from Edinburgh – with Woodman wearing the busy Scotland away kit from the 1990 World Cup, and Winter in the 90s Man City shirt. 'We like the way they bring football into a rock'n'roll setting,' says Winter. Brandon Woodman, left, with Jamie White; and Jennie Connely Or sometimes it's just a look. Jennie Connely wears a football-like shirt, with Supersonic written across it in Oasis's font, from Mama Established, a brand that makes unofficial merch for everyone from Sam Fender to Pedro Pascal. Although she supports Middlesbrough, she 'wouldn't dare' wear a Boro shirt today. 'I wanted to feel comfortable, but I wanted to feel part of this. It's 16 years in the making, but it feels like it's brand new,' she says. Kent Garrison, who travelled from Dallas, committed to a look – he wore that Man City fourth kit complete with the socks. 'I came with a plan to wear the full kit,' he says. 'I was a little nervous, but I said, 'You know what? This once in a lifetime opportunity, and I'm going to support.'' Kent Garrison from Dallas, Texas Although Garrison is not totally familiar with the Premier League, he appreciates that the Gallaghers were City fans even when the team were finishing close to the relegation places. 'They're not bandwagoners,' he said. 'They've been Man City since the beginning.' If Garrison and Connely remember the first time – Connelly has seen the band five times – there are plenty of fans that don't. This sector of the crowd, in their teens and early 20s, are perhaps the most creative with the Oasis look. Jeongsee Park and Seohyeon Shin have mixed it with Y3K style – Shin wears reflective contact lenses – and Park's prized piece is a genuine 1994 City shirt ('Very expensive,' she winces) which she wears with an oversized track top from the latest merch. Seohyeon Shin, left, and Jeongsee Park The friends say it's only young women who like Oasis in South Korea – they are surprised by how many older people are in Cardiff. Shin is influenced by Liam's all-white outfit from Knebworth in 1997. 'I thought he was an angel,' she says. Iwan Strong; Charlie Jenkins; and Taylerann Gilder Iwan Strong, 18, also loves all things 90s – he's inspired by bands but also his dad 'in old-fashioned Adidas'. He plays in a band and says he would dress like 'a mixture of Oasis and Manic Street Preachers' when he plays a gig. Seventeen-year-old Charlie Jenkins, with a blond crop and bright blue braces, likes the Gallaghers' look as 'football hooliganism, masculine, real life. It's loud.' Taylerann Gilder, 19, wins for her look: an oversized shell suit jacket top bought on Vinted, 90s-style skate jeans and an XXXL Liam T-shirt customised to fit by her mum, with bows along the sides. 'I like to rearrange my clothes – I cut a lot of my T-shirts, cropped and stuff like that,' she says. If she has learned about Oasis and their style from her parents, Gilder says the next generation aren't far behind. 'My nephew, he's seven, he walks around with the sunglasses, the Adidas tracksuits. We all call him little Liam Gallagher.'
