Notting Hill loses carnival crown

About 10,000 police were at the carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival cannot claim to be Europe's largest street party this year, according to figures released on Tuesday.

Police said an estimated 600,000 revellers gathered on the streets of west London during the two-day event - less than half the number who attended last year's carnival.

Zurich's Street Parade dance festival attracted an estimated 900,000 people in one day earlier this month.

But carnival organiser Debi Gardener hailed the west London event as a success.

She said on Monday: "People have come here and had a really good time - there has been a very relaxed atmosphere.

"I have no idea why there are fewer people here this year - carnival success is not dependent on the number of people who come, it depends on people enjoying themselves and having a good time."

The event mostly passed peacefully, but as the celebrations wound down on Monday evening two men were stabbed in separate incidents and taken to hospital.

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On Sunday a 40-year-old man was also taken to a central London hospital for a suspected stab wound to his arm.

And a youth driving near the carnival site was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm and cannabis.

Scotland Yard said about 128 people, including four police officers, had been injured during the carnival.

And there had been 80 arrests on the final day, and a further 91 on Sunday and in the period running up to the event.

They had been for a range of offences including possession of drugs, assault, public order offences, and possession of an offensive weapon, a spokesman said.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Trotter added: "We picked up a particular crew who were coming armed with knives, hammers and knuckle-dusters."

The theme for this year's carnival was "peace on the streets"

About 10,000 police attended the carnival - with one officer standing every 50 feet (15 metres) along the three-mile (4.83-kilometre) procession route - at a cost of £5m.

But Ms Gardener denied the massive police presence had affected the turnout and Scotland Yard said it would not be scaling back its numbers next year.

The main attraction was the procession of performers dressed in lavish costumes following floats decked in bright colours.

Music was provided by up to 15 steel bands, almost 80 other musical groups and 45 sound systems.

The clean up operation is also underway.

It, like the carnival, has taken months of planning involving 283 people with 82 rubbish collection vehicles.

Last year Westminster Council 174 tons of refuse after the event.