Notting Hill Carnival given a Curfew

Posted: 25th Jun 2009

It is the first time in a 45 year history that Notting Hill Carnival has been given a curfew in attempts to stamp out violence. Due to last years events organisers have been ordered to have the streets cleared by nightfall.

It would seem Kensington and Chelsea council have said that all floats should pass the judging point by 6.30pm. Floats will also be forced to turn down their music if levels are breached beyond 135 decibels if that was not enough council bosses have also cut down the number of vehicles allowed to attend the parade to ensure an early finish time, so they say.

These measures are being enforced as of the upcoming Bank Holiday Monday, the day of the main procession, but Children’s day on Sunday is unaffected.

 It would seem as though council leaders drew up the new rules due to last year’s violence upon police officers that were injured in the violence 

Council leader Merrick Cockell said: "We want to make Carnival 2009 a safer and more enjoyable event and hope the three proposed limits will help us to achieve this.
"The sound levels must fall so the emergency services can hear instructions and this is vital if someone needs medical attention or if there is a major incident. Equally, we don't want people left with permanent damage to their hearing.
"The event must be completed before dark as violence tends to peak at nightfall."
Organisers have promised to meet the demands, but they are yet to sign a final agreement to allow Kensington and Chelsea to close the roads.
Michael Williams, director of London Notting Hill Carnival Limited, said: "We have had lots of discussions and they are mostly satisfied. It is going to be business as usual."

Written By Nadia. A