A gang of youths were spotted running away from the scene at Notting Hill Carnival with one holding a suspected machete after eight people were stabbed
A gang of youths were spotted running away from the scene at Notting Hill Carnival with one holding a suspected machete after eight people were stabbed.
Video footage has been shared online showing the group - who were seen dressed in black and wearing balaclavas - running away as police on horses were seen chasing after the youths.
One of the boys could be seen waving what appears to be a huge machete in the air while another shows the same boy allegedly pointing the "weapon" at a person who is on the ground.
The way in which the Notting Hill carnival is run and policed is now being reviewed in the wake of the stabbings last night.
One 29-year-old man is still in critical condition in hospital today after he was stabbed on the northern fringes of the carnival around 9pm.
An hour earlier, a 19-year-old man was stabbed and seriously injured on Ladbroke Grove in the heart of the carnival area.
A further six men, aged from 18 to 40 were also stabbed in other violent incidents, but did not suffer life threatening injuries.
The violent scenes marred the end of the event, which police said had been largely well behaved and good natured over the Sunday and the earlier part of bank holiday Monday.
Across the two days of Carnival there were 275 arrests.
Scotland Yard said that multiple weapons, including a firearm were seized during stop and search activities.
A number of police officers were assaulted during the policing operation.
Some were sexually assaulted, and one officer was bitten.
On Sunday, police said there were 110 arrests for offences including possession of offensive weapons, assaults, possession of drugs and sexual offences.
One man sustained a non-life changing slash wound, but declined help from the emergency services. On Monday, 165 people were arrested for a similar range of offences.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, in charge of the policing operation, said: "It is regrettable that for a second year in a row, Monday night at Carnival has been marred by serious violence.
"Nobody disputes the significance of Carnival on London's cultural calendar and the overwhelming majority of those who came will have had a positive experience.
"However, we cannot overlook the stabbings, sexual assaults and attacks on police officers that we have seen."
The Deputy Assistant Commissioner hinted at possible changes to the way in which Carnival will be policed going forward.
He added: "As we do, following any major operation, we will be reviewing the events of the past two days and giving thorough consideration to what may need to change in future years."
