Livingstone to discuss carnival's future

Policing strategies at the carnival will be reviewed

London Mayor Ken Livingstone will meet senior police officers this week to discuss the future running of Notting Hill Carnival - two people were killed at this year's event.

Proposals expected to be on the agenda include an earlier finishing time to reduce after-dark crime, new policing strategies and moving the event from west London's narrow streets to a more open location.

Two people - Greg Watson and Abdul Bhatti - were murdered and dozens of people stabbed in numerous incidents at this year's multi-cultural festival, which has now grown into Europe's biggest street party.

One police officer, who was on duty during the event, claimed the police lost control of events on the ground and officers were encouraged to turn a blind eye to certain offences.

Bank holiday disorder

About 1.5 million people attended the event but despite the presence of 7,500 police officers, order broke down towards the end of Bank Holiday Monday.

The Metropolitan police have denied they lost control but did concede that due to the growth of the annual event, the time had come to review policing strategies.

Home Office minister, Mike O'Brien, has defended the police actions during the carnival.

He said: "What the Metropolitan Police did at the Notting Hill Carnival was increase the number of arrests by 84%.

"That is not a softly, softly approach, that is proper policing, exercising good judgement.

"I think it's time to stop knocking the police and support them."