Notting Hill Carnival makes a messy start while police use 'super-recognisers' and new face-spotting computer system to crack down on crime
- The Notting Hill Carnival began today with the colourful and messy J'ouvert parade - a Caribbean tradition
- Revellers took to streets, throwing paint, mud, chocolate or powder at each other while dancing to music
- It is said the tradition recognises the need of humans to let go of daily worries, if only just for a short time
- Later in the day, young performers with flamboyant costumes danced to music in the Children's Parade
- August 28th, 2016
Revellers have taken to the streets of the Notting Hill Carnival at sunrise today to celebrate an ancient Caribbean tradition with a splash of colour.
Just on sunrise at 6am, early morning partygoers threw a streety party - and then threw paint, mud, chocolate, powder and even oil at each other while dancing to music.
Known as the J’ouvert celebration - derived from the French term Jour ouvert, meaning 'opening of the day' - the event is a traditional procession that still takes place in countries such as Trinidad & Tobago.
Revellers start the day's celebrations with the J’ouvert parade at the Notting Hill Carnival celebrating Caribbean traditions
A man smeared in oil shows his best moves. The event can use different decorations including paint, powder and mud
One man covered in oil had a landline telephone - presumably not plugged in - during the street party
It was messy start to the day for these revellers, who were wide awake for the traditional sunrise parade through Notting Hill
Some of the attendees will have a hard time getting clean in the shower later after their efforts in the colourful parade. This man was using oil to decorate himself and friends
A woman is splattered with paint from a paint gun. She came dressed for the occasion - and a quick clean-up afterwards
It is said the tradition recognises the need of humans to let go of daily worries, if only just for a short time.
One man (top) preferred a giant fake snake to decorate his body instead of paint and flour while banging a cowbell. Another man (bottom) preferred some face protection from the paint fights
The parade comes as police officers with special skills for recognising the faces of offenders will be monitoring the carnival in a crackdown on crime.
The 'super-recognisers' will be inside a CCTV control room seeking out both offenders committing crimes and anyone with bail conditions which ought to stop them from attending the event.
It is one of a number of measures the Met will be taking to ensure visitors from all over the country can stay safe and enjoy themselves during the carnival, which will be marking its 50th anniversary on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.
After the colourful Caribbean tradition, another parade was held in the morning for Children's Day, and Monday will be the traditional Grand Finale.
The force will also be trialling a facial recognition system to help identify wanted offenders, by using cameras which scan the faces of those passing by and flag up potential matches against a database of custody images.
Not all the attendees wanted to enjoy the music as this child (left) showed while others dressed in striking costumers (right)
The head wear was unique, as these men showed, wearing construction hats and a viking style helmet with large chains
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A bit more colourful than a Sunday at church: A reveller wearing a huge cross shares a laugh with a police officer as authorities use new technology to catch criminals at this year's Notting Hill Festival
The head wear was unique, as these men showed, wearing construction hats and a viking style helmet with large chainsok
A bit more colourful than a Sunday at church: A reveller wearing a huge cross shares a laugh with a police officer as authorities use new technology to catch criminals at this year's Notting Hill Festival
One attendee held a paint gun as he walked the streets of Notting Hill this morning in the Caribbean parade
A pair of revellers dressed in full white suits protect themselves from friendly fire at the colourful street party this morning
It is said the tradition recognises the need of humans to let go of daily worries, if only just for a short time
London's 'threat level' has been set at 'severe' for some time now and the police are urging all those planning to attend the carnival to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious.
Over the last week, police have arrested 215 people they believe planned to use the carnival as a cover for committing crime or violence. More than 200 search warrants were also made.
Although the arrests were mostly for drugs-related offences, officers have also taken six firearms and 50 rounds of ammunition, as well as a number of knives and machetes from the streets. Three motor vehicles and £30,000 were also seized.
It was all good fun during the Caribbean parade. This man was looking for targets of his paint gun after being hit himself
A group of partygoers celebrate at the street festival in the early morning parade through Notting Hill today
It was laughs all round during the fun and games in Notting Hill for the parade to start the day's carnival schedule
Superintendent Robyn Williams said: 'This weekend is the highlight of the year, not only for the Caribbean community, but also for many visitors from London and the rest of the country.
'The Met has worked hard to ensure that Carnival is a safe and enjoyable weekend for everyone who attends and I would ask all carnival-goers to enjoy this family event and make sure that you follow officers' and stewards' instructions.'
Facial fashion - or was it protection from friendly fire? - was common among many of the street revellers in the celebration
His tips for staying safe at the carnival include:
- Checking public transport in advance using the TfL website to avoid stations which may be closed or exit-only;
- Going with the flow of the crowd, instead of against it, even if police mark out a longer route. Officers will also be handing out maps of the area at the event;
- Having a set meeting place in case you lose family or friends, rather than rely on mobile phones;
- Avoiding bringing valuables or too much cash and always being conscious to keep them out of sight, to avoid tempting opportunistic thieves;
- Staying alert all the way home, even when the party is over;
These attendees enjoyed music as they walked the streets of Notting Hill, letting go of their worries as is tradition
Colour was the order of the day for all outfits. This woman took some time out to check her phone during the parade
Another man wearing a mask attends to his body decorations while friends carrying flags enjoy the celebration
A rocking horse is dragged along Ladbroke Grove in Notting Hill during the festival by paint and chalk splattered people
A group of women, splattered with different coloured paint, hold paint guns as they search for their next target at the carnival
A lady covered in flour and paint crosses a Notting Hill street this morning for the sunrise street party
Police tips for staying safe at the carnival include:
- Checking public transport in advance using the TfL website to avoid stations which may be closed or exit-only;
- Going with the flow of the crowd, instead of against it, even if police mark out a longer route. Officers will also be handing out maps of the area at the event;
- Having a set meeting place in case you lose family or friends, rather than rely on mobile phones;
- Avoiding bringing valuables or too much cash and always being conscious to keep them out of sight, to avoid tempting opportunistic thieves;
- Staying alert all the way home, even when the party is over.
After the early morning J'ouvert parade, the colourful street scenes continued with a Children's Parade.
Performers with amazing costumes marched the streets of Notting Hill with flamboyant styles on display as they danced along the carnival route to the hypnotic rhythms provided by the mobile sound systems or steel bands.
After the Caribbean celebration at sunrise, youngests took part in the Children's Parade showcaing flamboyant costumes
Children of all ages took part in the Children's Parade on the opening day of the carnival in Notting Hill, central London
A performer with face paint joins in the celebrations during the Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday in London, England
There was plenty of colourful outfits - albeit not of the paint gun variety seen earlier - when the Children's Parade began later
There was plenty of colourful outfits - albeit not of the paint gun variety seen earlier - when the Children's Parade began later
A young girl in facepaint wears traditional face paint during the Children's Parade in Notting Hill
Police have also asked people to be on the lookout for a missing teenager, who they believe may attend the carnival.
Veronica Sbircea, 15, was last seen around Brixton Road in south London on the afternoon of Thursday July 28.
Veronica, who sometimes goes by the name of Rachel, went missing from Kettering, Northamptonshire, but is originally from London. She is described as white, 5ft and with long straight black hair and brown eyes.
Detective Inspector Stuart Hitchon of Northants Police said: 'It's very concerning that for someone who is very active on social media and was seen on public transport several times in the 24 hours before she went missing, there is absolutely nothing since.
'This clear absence of any activity is very worrying and we really need her to make contact.'
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