Every year as Notting Hill carnival (NHC) winds down, naysayers demand the event be banned. This year is no different. Carnival is viewed through a prism of crime in a way that no other large festival or major sporting event is. Is it because a very large gathering of black people is automatically seen as a potential crime hotspot?
Well, no. It's because a very large gathering of black people automatically becomes a crime hotspot.
This view is unfortunately held not just by some sections of the public and media, but also by police officers at all ranks involved in policing it.
Well, yes. I expect long distance lorry drivers have a view on the aesthetics of motorways too, it's one of the things that comes with the job.
In my 30 years in the Metropolitan police, I have carried out a number of roles associated with the policing of NHC. I have observed that officers often view it as a yearly event that is imposed on the capital. It’s not viewed with national pride, similar to something like policing England playing at Wembley – even though such matches often involve violent incidents, and police being assaulted.
Because what it's celebrating is another nation, and another culture. Not England.
Also, I have never known a government minister or member of the royal family attend NHC in their official capacity, as they would with a national football game.
I wonder why?
This association with crime, the lack of national pride and the feeling that carnival is an imposition influence public perceptions. At the same time, policing plans for the event appear to have a very strong enforcement approach, which often comes at the expense of community engagement.
It's a hotbed of crime, so how else could it be policed?
Compared with European festivals of a similar size, the festival is held in a particularly dense section of the city, and so gangs are attracted to NHC to commit crimes and/or settle feuds before disappearing into the crowd. Consideration should be given to changing the location to Hyde Park, or somewhere that is more open, to assist in policing it more effectively.
Or we could just scrap it altogether? That would be my choice.
4 comments:
‘Leroy Logan is a former superintendent in the Metropolitan police and a former chair of the Black Police Association’….
…and, judging by his articles at the guardian, an excellent illustration of the adage that, when you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
(As far as his complaint of a lack of Royal presence at the Carnival is concerned, perhaps this could be the comeback role for Prince Harry, who could open proceedings next year by lighting a ceremonial spliff.)
Foulness Island.
Depends on your definition of crime: Black on black knife attack does not equal crime, black stabs white might, white on white does
"...an excellent illustration of the adage that, when you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail."
It explains a lot about the Met that he was employed there for so long...
"Foulness Island."
If Gruinard is still unsafe, yes.
"Depends on your definition of crime: Black on black knife attack does not equal crime..."
It's their culture, just enriching us.
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