Carnival policing bill hits £4m

Ten thousand officers will police the festivities

A massive police operation at this weekend's Notting Hill Carnival will cost the taxpayer £4m - the most spent on security in carnival history.

Security at this year's event will be tighter than ever in an attempt to prevent the violence which marred last year's festivities.

The police operation involves 10,000 officers, 1,500 more than last year, and the carnival is expected to draw more than two million people over Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday.

During the 2000 event there were two murders, 19 stabbings and 129 arrests.

Huge event: Two million people are expected to attend

More than 600 stewards - 200 up on last year - have been recruited to increase security and 80 extra CCTV cameras will cover this year's route.

At least one police officer will accompany each of the 100 floats and, for the first time, officers will carry hand-held metal detectors to identify knives and other weapons.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Trotter said police were bracing themselves for hardened criminals to descend upon the event.

Fifteen people, including those known to have caused trouble at last year's event, have already been arrested and will be barred from attending the carnival.

'Enormous challenge'

DAC Trotter said: "Maintaining public safety is the most important part.

"This event is enormously successful and the public should feel safe.

"We are not saying people should stay away but come and enjoy themselves.

"This is an enormous challenge for the police and we will do the best we can."

There are still concerns surrounding the route the carnival takes with critics saying the streets are too narrow for the numbers of people who attend the event.