Future of Notting Hill Carnival 'up in the air', leaked letter reveals
Notting Hill Carnival could be cancelled without 'urgent funding' from the government, its organisers have reportedly warned in a leaked letter.
It comes after a review of the festival, which takes place on August Bank Holiday weekend, identified 'critical public safety concerns'.
Last year, more than 300 people were arrested and eight people were stabbed during the event, which attracts up to two million visitors.
Ian Comfort, the Carnival's chair, has now said in a letter seen by the BBC that additional funding is needed to address the issues and make sure it safe to run.
He is understood to have written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to request the money, which is 'essential to safeguarding the future and public safety of this iconic event'.
Mr Comfort said in the letter: 'The April 2025 London Assembly report highlights the increasing strain placed on the Metropolitan Police during large-scale public events.
'Limited resourcing has restricted the police service's ability to respond to growing operational pressure.'
He called for more investment into stewarding and crowd management, which he said was essential for the police to focus on preventing crime.
Notting Hill Carnival has been indirectly supported by the government through public bodies such as Arts Council England.
But it is understood if the request for funding is granted, it will be the first time direct government financial support is provided for the event.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it would 'respond to the letter in due course'.
Last year, 7,000 police officers were on duty at Notting Hill Carnival, with a total of around 14,000 officer shifts across the whole event.
However, two people tragically died from injuries they sustained in separate attacks at the festival.
Cher Maximen, 32, was brutally stabbed in front of her three-year-old daughter after she got caught in the middle of a fight between two groups of men.
She was rushed to hospital but died six days later - sparking concerns about the safety at the event.
Meanwhile Mussie Imnetu - a Michelin star chef - died from a severe head injury he sustained during an assault at the carnival.
He was repeatedly punched and kicked by charity worker Omar Wilson, 31, a court previously heard.
After the attack, Wilson went out clubbing with his friends at the Ministry of Sound and confessed to one of them in a text message, writing: 'There's a monster in me.. And it's just like sometimes it comes out. And I think I've messed up now. And everything's finished.
'I've f****d up. I crossed the line and went overboard. I don't think I can come back from this mistake. I'm going to jail in the morning.'
He was jailed for at least 18 years in February for the attack.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan commented: 'It is heartbreaking that Cher Maximen and Mussie Imnetu have died after being attacked in separate incidents over the bank holiday weekend.
'My thoughts are with their families and friends at this truly terrible time.
'This violence is shocking, completely unacceptable and a betrayal of the values that (Notting Hill) Carnival was founded to celebrate.'
The organisers of Notting Hill Carnival said in a statement: 'Notting Hill Carnival is shocked by these tragic deaths and our thoughts are with the victims' families and the local community as a whole, which like so many others, has suffered all too often from the blight of violent crime.
'We stand together against all violence and condemn these acts, which are against all carnival values and the millions of people who come in celebration of them.'
MailOnline has contacted Notting Hill Carnival for comment on the letter about funding concerns.
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