More than 140 arrested on first day of Notting Hill Carnival for drugs, violence and sex offences

More than 140 people were arrested by 7:45pm during the first day of the Notting Hill Carnival for offences, including drugs, violence and sex offences, police said.

Thirty five of the arrests were made on the approaches to the event, which is Europe's biggest street party, due to proactive policing interventions, with 13 of them following positive identifications by live facial recognition technology.

By 8pm the Met Police said the policing operation had moved into the dispersal phase as crowds headed home from the event, which passed off largely peacefully.

Although, a significant number of officers remained in the area to deal with any further incidents.

Among those to attend the annual event was Olympian sprinter Usain Bolt, who was seen to take the mic, and said he felt he had to come.

A Met spokesperson said: "As of 7:45pms, there had been 140 total arrests as part of the policing operation."

Of those, 105 arrests took place at Carnival itself.

There were 15 assaults on police, including one officer who had injuries to their hand which required hospital treatment.

The spokesperson added: "We will ensure all officers receive the appropriate support."

Twenty one people were arrested for possession of an offensive weapon. There were 25 people arrested for possession of cannabis, six for possession of class A drugs and two for possession of other drugs.

Nineteen suspected drug dealers were arrested, two suspected robbers, while four people were arrested for public order offences and sex offences respectively.

There were 42 arrests for "other" offences, the force said.

Police had authorised additional Section 60 powers between 10:00am on to 2am on Monday 25, and again from 10am on Monday to 2am on Tuesday.

The powers are to be able to search people in a specified area for weapons or dangerous items without needing to have reasonable suspicion, in order to prevent violence or disorder, and to require people to remove face coverings where they are being worn mainly to conceal identity, to prevent intimidation, violence or disorder.

Refusal to remove a face covering if required to do so by an officer exercising this power can lead to arrest.

A dispersal order under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 has been authorised between the same times in the same area. It gives officers the power to order someone to leave the area and not return for up to 48 hours. The power is intended to prevent crime and disorder.

Officers arrested 100 people and took dozens of weapons off the streets as part of an operation to ensure the safety of all those attending Notting Hill Carnival this weekend ahead of it even starting.