Can Notting Hill Carnival Stay Safe?

August 2025, Ben Harris, Partner

Published on: IOSH Magazine

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As millions prepare to celebrate Notting Hill Carnival this weekend, former Special Forces operator, and one of our partners Ben Harris, reveals the vital lessons every safety leader can learn, from hostile vehicles to crowd control.

The safety and future of Notting Hill Carnival, a vibrant, world-renowned celebration of Caribbean culture, is at a critical crossroads. As a former Special Forces operator and Royal Marine Commando, and now a partner at Avella Security, I’ve spent decades assessing and mitigating high-risk environments. What I see at events like Carnival is deeply concerning.

Notting Hill Carnival presents a unique and formidable challenge for health and safety leaders. Its sheer scale, unpredictable dynamics, and layered public risks push the limits of what traditional safety planning can handle. For those with occupational health and safety responsibilities, it’s a live example of everything that makes modern safety leadership complex: high-density crowds, diverse stakeholders, limited control over public behaviour, and evolving threats. What unfolds on the streets of West London each year is more than a cultural celebration, it’s a stress test for how well we prepare, adapt, and lead in real time.

Safety at scale: a perfect storm of risk factors

Each year, Carnival attracts over two million people. But behind the colour and celebration lies a sharp edge: knife crime, hate speech, overcrowding, and violent outbursts are increasingly common. Under-trained stewards, under-resourced police forces, and outdated crowd control systems compound the problem. With the recent announcement of an extra £1 million local council funding for Carnival security the spotlight is now firmly on those responsible for public safety. The funding is welcome, but money alone won’t fix what’s broken. We need a systemic shift in how we think about and deliver safety.

Five critical risks and the actions required

Whether you're managing a high-risk construction site, planning a corporate event, or overseeing operations in a busy public venue, the principles are the same. Too often, we see major events planned with enthusiasm but not with the necessary depth of security thinking. Here are the five critical risk areas and the immediate action required to help ensure public safety at this year’s Carnival:

1. Hostile Vehicle Attacks (Vehicle as a Weapon – VaaW)

One of the most devastating risks at any public event today is the use of a vehicle to cause mass casualties. Notting Hill Carnival, with its dense crowds and open streets, is acutely vulnerable. While some temporary barriers exist, they often lack the strength or coverage needed.

Actions: 

• Implement industry-grade Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM).

• Assess vulnerable entry points at your site.

• Install physical barriers where appropriate.

• Develop and test response plans for vehicle-borne threats.

  
  

2. Crowd control and emergency planning

With more than a million attendees expected, a single misstep in crowd control could be catastrophic. Poor signage, under-trained stewards, and vague evacuation procedures create the perfect storm for confusion and chaos.

Actions:

• Map clear evacuation and invacuation routes.

• Conduct live drills, not just desktop exercises.

• Use real-time communication tools for incident response.

  
  

3. Surveillance technology 

Our enemies are getting smarter. We must do the same. Aerial surveillance using drones (UAVs) can provide real-time intelligence on crowd movement, hotspots, and potential threats, allowing ground teams to act fast and smart.

It is welcome news that the Metropolitan Police have confirmed the deployment of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology at this year’s Carnival. LFR can quickly identify potential threats, while drones track their movement through crowded areas.

This combined approach helps coordinate well-trained ground teams for timely intervention, enhancing security while maintaining respect for privacy and public trust.

Actions:

• Employ UAVs for aerial oversight in coordination with law enforcement and private security.

• Invest in AI-driven crowd analysis tools to pre-emptively spot anomalies and prevent escalation.

• Explore and integrate facial recognition technology as part of a layered security approach.

  
  

4. Stewardship and training gaps

Right now, many stewards lack the training or authority to deal with even minor incidents, let alone serious threats. This isn’t a criticism of individuals, it’s a failure of event planning and resource allocation.

Actions: 

• Reassess the event’s risk profile and raise the bar for stewarding standards.  

• Implement mandatory training, scenario-based drills, and qualifications for all event safety personnel.

  
  

5. Martyn’s Law is coming – are we ready?

The upcoming Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, Martyn’s Law, will make it a legal duty for event organisers to assess and act on the threat of terrorism. The law was named after Martyn Hett, who was killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, and it represents a watershed moment for UK event security.

Don’t wait for legislation to take effect. Start integrating Martyn’s Law principles now. 

Actions:

• Reassess training standards for all team members involved in safety duties.

• Create clear protocols that are understood by everyone, not just management.

• Partner with qualified security trainers to upskill existing teams.

  
  

Transfer the lessons

Don’t view Notting Hill Carnival’s challenges as unique. The truth is, every public-facing organisation, no matter its size, faces similar risks. Whether it’s a warehouse with vehicle movement, a busy city centre office, or a stadium hosting a staff event, the principles of good security are the same:

• Understand your environment.

• Assess and reassess dynamic risks.

• Empower your team through training and communication.

• Use technology to gain insight and maintain control.

  
  

Final thoughts

As safety leaders, your influence reaches beyond clipboards and compliance. You are now on the front line of public protection.

The Carnival will go on, and it should. But let’s not wait for another crisis to prove we could have done more. The responsibility is ours: to act early, act smart, and act together.