Latest news with #StopYourFuture
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Notting Hill Carnival not the cause of knife crime, event boss says
Matthew Phillip told the crowd at the festival's launch party on Thursday that money raised from the local council and the mayor of London would be put towards security measures at the event, which takes place over the August bank holiday weekend. The carnival has also partnered with actor Idris Elba's Hope Foundation and its campaign Don't Stop Your Future (DSYF) to combat knife and violent crime in London communities. Mr Phillip urged people not to scapegoat the carnival, which has faced criticism in recent years for not tackling violent crime, including the murders of two people last year – Cher Maximen, who was killed in front of her three-year-old daughter, and chef Mussie Imnetu. Takayo Nembhard, 21, was stabbed in 2022. Mr Phillip said: 'Knife crime is not a carnival issue. Youth violence is not a carnival issue. 'These are serious national issues, and while some statistics have improved, the roots remain poverty, isolation, racial inequality, disconnection and the absence of hope, especially for young people. 'Carnival does not cause these problems. It doesn't create violence. In fact, for many, it offers relief from it.' Concerns over safety at the carnival have also contributed to insecurity about its future, and the festival's organisers wrote to the Government earlier this year to ask for urgent funding. Carnival chairman Ian Comfort requested more funding from the Government to steward the event and address safety concerns, amid ongoing warnings from police that there could be a tragedy. Eventually City Hall, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council and Westminster city council provided money, allowing this year's event to take place. A member of the adults parade in 2024 (Lucy North/PA) Mr Phillip said: 'What began as a small gathering of courage on the streets of Notting Hill has grown into one of the largest cultural events in the world. 'That growth brings joy, but it also brings a huge responsibility. Each year, over a million people walk through these streets. 'We are strengthening every element of our operational infrastructure: more trained stewards, expanded CCTV coverage and parade co-ordination, faster response systems for stewards and safety teams, and expanded crowd management infrastructure and personnel, to give an example of a few of the initiatives we're embarking on. 'These are not tick boxes. They're a real commitment to care, to precision and to the protection of the community.' The carnival will run from August 23 to 25 and features parades, steelpan costumes, bands, sound systems and stages. People will be invited to join a 72-second silence at 3pm on Sunday and Monday to honour people who died in the Grenfell Tower fire and Kelso Cochrane, who was murdered in a racially motivated attack in Notting Hill in 1959.
Western Telegraph
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Notting Hill Carnival not the cause of knife crime, event boss says
Matthew Phillip told the crowd at the festival's launch party on Thursday that money raised from the local council and the mayor of London would be put towards security measures at the event, which takes place over the August bank holiday weekend. The carnival has also partnered with actor Idris Elba's Hope Foundation and its campaign Don't Stop Your Future (DSYF) to combat knife and violent crime in London communities. Mr Phillip urged people not to scapegoat the carnival, which has faced criticism in recent years for not tackling violent crime, including the murders of two people last year – Cher Maximen, who was killed in front of her three-year-old daughter, and chef Mussie Imnetu. Takayo Nembhard, 21, was stabbed in 2022. Mr Phillip said: 'Knife crime is not a carnival issue. Youth violence is not a carnival issue. 'These are serious national issues, and while some statistics have improved, the roots remain poverty, isolation, racial inequality, disconnection and the absence of hope, especially for young people. 'Carnival does not cause these problems. It doesn't create violence. In fact, for many, it offers relief from it.' Concerns over safety at the carnival have also contributed to insecurity about its future, and the festival's organisers wrote to the Government earlier this year to ask for urgent funding. Carnival chairman Ian Comfort requested more funding from the Government to steward the event and address safety concerns, amid ongoing warnings from police that there could be a tragedy. Eventually City Hall, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council and Westminster city council provided money, allowing this year's event to take place. A member of the adults parade in 2024 (Lucy North/PA) Mr Phillip said: 'What began as a small gathering of courage on the streets of Notting Hill has grown into one of the largest cultural events in the world. 'That growth brings joy, but it also brings a huge responsibility. Each year, over a million people walk through these streets. 'We are strengthening every element of our operational infrastructure: more trained stewards, expanded CCTV coverage and parade co-ordination, faster response systems for stewards and safety teams, and expanded crowd management infrastructure and personnel, to give an example of a few of the initiatives we're embarking on. 'These are not tick boxes. They're a real commitment to care, to precision and to the protection of the community.' The carnival will run from August 23 to 25 and features parades, steelpan costumes, bands, sound systems and stages. People will be invited to join a 72-second silence at 3pm on Sunday and Monday to honour people who died in the Grenfell Tower fire and Kelso Cochrane, who was murdered in a racially motivated attack in Notting Hill in 1959.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Notting Hill Carnival not the cause of knife crime, event boss says
Matthew Phillip told the crowd at the festival's launch party on Thursday that money raised from the local council and the mayor of London would be put towards security measures at the event, which takes place over the August bank holiday weekend. The carnival has also partnered with actor Idris Elba's Hope Foundation and its campaign Don't Stop Your Future (DSYF) to combat knife and violent crime in London communities. Mr Phillip urged people not to scapegoat the carnival, which has faced criticism in recent years for not tackling violent crime, including the murders of two people last year – Cher Maximen, who was killed in front of her three-year-old daughter, and chef Mussie Imnetu. Takayo Nembhard, 21, was stabbed in 2022. Mr Phillip said: 'Knife crime is not a carnival issue. Youth violence is not a carnival issue. 'These are serious national issues, and while some statistics have improved, the roots remain poverty, isolation, racial inequality, disconnection and the absence of hope, especially for young people. 'Carnival does not cause these problems. It doesn't create violence. In fact, for many, it offers relief from it.' Concerns over safety at the carnival have also contributed to insecurity about its future, and the festival's organisers wrote to the Government earlier this year to ask for urgent funding. Carnival chairman Ian Comfort requested more funding from the Government to steward the event and address safety concerns, amid ongoing warnings from police that there could be a tragedy. Eventually City Hall, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council and Westminster city council provided money, allowing this year's event to take place. A member of the adults parade in 2024 (Lucy North/PA) Mr Phillip said: 'What began as a small gathering of courage on the streets of Notting Hill has grown into one of the largest cultural events in the world. 'That growth brings joy, but it also brings a huge responsibility. Each year, over a million people walk through these streets. 'We are strengthening every element of our operational infrastructure: more trained stewards, expanded CCTV coverage and parade co-ordination, faster response systems for stewards and safety teams, and expanded crowd management infrastructure and personnel, to give an example of a few of the initiatives we're embarking on. 'These are not tick boxes. They're a real commitment to care, to precision and to the protection of the community.' The carnival will run from August 23 to 25 and features parades, steelpan costumes, bands, sound systems and stages. People will be invited to join a 72-second silence at 3pm on Sunday and Monday to honour people who died in the Grenfell Tower fire and Kelso Cochrane, who was murdered in a racially motivated attack in Notting Hill in 1959.
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Notting Hill Carnival boss – ‘We can't ignore impact of knife crime on our event'
The carnival has partnered with the actor's Elba Hope Foundation and its campaign Don't Stop Your Future (DSYF) to combat knife and violent crime in London communities, ahead of the event, which takes place over the August bank holiday weekend. It has also secured extra funding from local councils and the mayor of London to improve safety and infrastructure. Cher Maximen was stabbed in front of her three-year-old daughter during the Notting Hill Carnival (Metropolitan Police/PA) The carnival has faced criticism in recent years for not tackling violent crime. It comes after the murders of two people last year, Cher Maximen, who was killed in front of her three-year-old daughter, and chef Mussie Imnetu, who was repeatedly punched and kicked during an altercation. Takayo Nembhard was stabbed at the age of 21 in 2022. The carnival says it is often portrayed as the cause of knife crime, which it denies, but says it wants to use its spotlight for positive action. Concerns over safety at the carnival have also contributed to insecurity about its future, and the festival's organisers wrote to the Government earlier this year to ask for urgent funding. Carnival chairman Ian Comfort asked for money to steward the event and address safety concerns, amid ongoing warnings from police that there could be a fatality. Eventually City Hall, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council and Westminster city council provided money, allowing this year's event to take place. Matthew Phillip, the chief executive of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, said: 'We can't ignore the impact of knife crime on our event. The adults parade, part of the Notting Hill Carnival, in 2024 (Lucy North/PA) 'The tragic deaths of Takayo Nembhard and Cher Maximen broke the hearts of their friends and families as well as our communities and, three years on, the family and friends of Takayo still don't have justice. 'These young people didn't lose their lives because of carnival; carnival is not the cause of this crisis, but it can be part of the solution. 'In that spirit, Carnival aligns perfectly with the principles of DSYF. 'Their ongoing work to help disenfranchised young people to make better choices is a productive and sustainable action to a very complex and, ultimately, sad problem. 'They show that there is choice, and we are working with them to amplify this message that we hope will let people know there are other options. 'The Elba Hope Foundation is about creating real pathways for young people, to build confidence, develop skills and find belonging. 'Carnival provides one of the few creative and cultural outlets left for our youth. That's why we must protect it, invest in it and use its platform to uplift others.' The carnival will run from August 23 to 25 and features parades, steelpan, costumes, bands, sound systems and stages. People will be invited to join a 72-second silence at 3pm on Sunday and Monday to honour people who died in the Grenfell Tower fire, and Kelso Cochrane, who was murdered in a racially motivated attack in Notting Hill in 1959.
