A top Met Police officer has warned of “significant” violence and fears of a “mass casualty” crowd crush at Notting Hill Carnival. Assistant commissioner Matt Twist told the London Assembly this year’s August bank holiday celebrations “did not have enough stewards”. He told the Police and Crime Committee the level of serious crime at the event was “too high”. Eight people were stabbed, 889 crimes were reported at this year’s event, with 353 arrests made. Mr Twist said his chief concern was crowd density, and “the potential for a mass casualty event”. More than two million people attend the event each year. He went on to suggest that moving the event to a new location is among “many” options that could help make it more safe. But this may not go down well with the organisers and the community the Carnival serves, as the area in West London has significant cultural roots. Carnival originated in the 1950s as a response to racial tensions in the area, aimed to celebrate Caribbean culture and combat discrimination. Over the years, the event grew organically, into the biggest street party in Europe. Police and the media have been criticised in the past for having a focus on crime figures and police presence, rather than on the positive cultural impact the event provides. Notting Hill Carnival have previously said, “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.” Notting Hill Carnival has been approached by the Standard.