The Times (London)

By Frankie Edozien.

Masquerade troupes and steel bands paraded through the streets of Notting Hill in a profusion of colour and soca rhythms yesterday, despite heavy showers.

Officers had arrested only nine people for drunkenness and theft as the first day of the annual Notting Hill Carnival danced its way towards a peaceful close. Inspector Michelle Collins of the Metropolitan Police said: “It’s going great so far.” The Metropolitan Police had feared a repeat of the violence seen at last year’s carnival, when two people were murdered and 19 people were stabbed.

The operation to police Europe’s largest street festival was in evidence as 250,000 people participated in the children’s parade, which is traditionally held the Sunday before the carnival proper. Officers were seen dancing behind some carnival floats, while colleagues on horseback and in squad cars were posted on street corners along the parade route. This year’s police operation, involving 10,000 policemen and women, is costing Pounds 4 million.

Detectives hoped to have thwarted violence when in the days preceding the carnival they arrested almost 20 people thought likely to cause trouble at the event.

Neither the heavy police presence nor the grey skies and rain showers could dampen spirits on the streets yesterday. “It’s fantastic -I love it,” said Lisa Sajbdas, a first-timer. “I’m from Glasgow so I’m used to the rain but this is great,” she said as she danced without an umbrella.

David Armstrong, from Cambridge, who was swaying to the soca beats with his baby grandson Darnell, said: “I’ve been coming for three years to kids’ day and it’s better every time. I think the costumes are better than last year.”Weather forecasters said that carnivalgoers could expect a let-up in the rain today.