Police in London have arrested more than 100 people and seized dozens of weapons in a major operation aimed at preventing a repeat of the serious violence that marred the Notting Hill Carnival last year.
Multiple police units, including some armed officers, seized 11 firearms and more than 40 knives.
Including the 100 arrests, some 266 people now either have police bail or probation licence conditions banning them from turning up at the west London Carnival.
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Of those arrested, 21 have been recalled to prison, in an effort to disrupt and deter those who the police believe pose the greatest risk to public safety at the Carnival.
Scotland Yard's spokesperson for Carnival, Commander Charmain Brenyah said: “We expect around one million people to be on the streets of west London for what is one of the most significant weekends in the capital’s cultural calendar.
"The vast majority come to have fun and enjoy themselves, to celebrate Caribbean culture, to dance, to eat and to go home with nothing but good memories.
“Regrettably we know a minority come with less positive intentions and in recent years this has played out in the form of serious violence including three tragic incidents where lives have been taken.
At last year's Carnival, two people were killed in a spate of eight stabbings and 349 people were arrested.
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“The actions of this minority are totally at odds with the values of those who care passionately about Carnival and we acknowledge those, including the event organisers, who have stood up to condemn violence and serious criminality in the run up to this weekend."
At last year's Carnival, two people were killed in a spate of eight stabbings and 349 people were arrested.
This year, the Met will deploy live facial recognition cameras on all routes in and out of the event, in a bid to identify and intercept those suspected of posing a public safety risk.
Commander Brenyah said: “During the event, we will have officers deployed in significant numbers to deal with incidents and where possible, to intervene before they happen.
Met officers will be supported during the Carnival bank holiday weekend by teams from the City of London and the British Transport Police
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Scotland Yard said it had shared intelligence with forces across the country to identify those violent gangs planning to attend Carnival
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"They will be aided by technology including a network of CCTV cameras.
"We are also considering the use of additional search powers to take dangerous weapons off the streets.”
Met officers will be supported during the Carnival bank holiday weekend by teams from the City of London and the British Transport Police.
British Transport Police superintendent Dominique Ioannou said: "There’ll be an enhanced presence of uniformed and plain clothes officers out and about across London's tube and railway network, and we’ll be working closely with the Met as part of the overall policing operation to ensure everyone can enjoy the celebrations safely.
Thousands of people are set to attend the Notting Hill Carnival this weekend
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“We want Carnival-goers to have a great weekend, celebrate responsibly and respect others while using the rail network."
Scotland Yard said it had shared intelligence with forces across the country to identify those violent gangs planning to attend Carnival.
Police will also erect screening arches at some of the busiest entry points, in an effort to detect those carrying weapons into the event.
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