R evellers descended on the streets of west London for a vibrant display of festivities as the 59th Notting Hill Carnival got underway. Millions of people are expected to take part in the event over the Bank Holiday weekend, and despite heavy rain on Sunday’s family day they proved they were out to party. Instead of the t-shirt and shorts sported for the searing hot weather of just a few weeks ago, there were umbrellas and a roaring trade for colourful plastic rain macs at Europe's biggest street party. The community celebration carved its way around the streets in a mass of music, dancing, bold costumes and floats of soaked entertainers. Revellers cover each other in paint at J'ouvert street party to kick off the celebrations of Notting Hill Carnival Singer Alexandra Burke, named on Sunday as the carnival's first ever ambassador, carried out her first duty in the role by opening this year's event. Burke described it as "a privilege" and just a bit "nuts" to be a carnival ambassador. It is a year-long role as the voice of carnival to help promote the community spirit and positive aspects surrounding the annual event. Alexandra Burke named first Notting Hill Carnival ambassador She recalled going to carnival as a child with her family and said: "The one thing that stands out for me about carnival is bringing the community together. It is people coming together and having a fantastic time. "It is just about a good vibe, good music, good food and amazing people around you. "So have the best day no matter what the weather is saying." At 3pm the music stopped for a 72-second silence in tribute to the 72 people who died following the fire at Grenfell Tower in June 2017. The tower block is within half-a-mile of the parade route. The silence was broken at the Rampage sound stage, just off Colville Square, with cheers, whistles and the booming voice of the late Aretha Franklin singing Respect. Matthew Phillip, executive director of Notting Hill Carnival, said: "What an incredible day – no matter how much the rain came it couldn't dampen the spirits of all the children taking part in today's parade. It was an incredible display of colour and music from the 72 bands. “We'd like to thank all of the brilliant performers for entertaining the crowds and putting some sunshine into the carnivalists day.”<doc-sep>A performer checks there's not a feather out of place on her glittering green headpiece. Someone shrieks in horrified delight as his pal flicks body paint into the air, spraying others with the slick, slimy orange liquid. A child reaches out her sequinned hand to deftly swipe a morsel of glistening, syrupy jerk chicken from the polystyrene carton her mother is holding.<doc-sep>Notting Hill Carnival: Scotland Yard has confirmed the man’s injuries are not life-threatening top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Scotland Yard has confirmed following the incident in Ladbroke Grove that the man’s injuries are not life-threatening and no arrests have been made at this stage. In a statement, Commander Dave Musker, who was Gold Command for Carnival, said: “Monday night was marred by the news of a non-life threatening stabbing at around 20:10 in Ladbroke Grove. “Thankfully this was the only incident of this nature throughout the whole weekend.” The event is one of the best-attended carnivals in the world and a highlight for London and particularly the communities of west London, Commander Musker said. But police made more than 370 arrests at Notting Hill Carnival over the bank holiday weekend. As of 10.15pm on Monday, the Metropolitan Police said it made 240 arrests on the bank holiday and 133 on Sunday, which included 10 made by the British Transport Police (BTP). A total of 30 police officers were injured "in the line of duty" at the Carnival. Commander Dave Musker said: “Although I am happy with how the event ran overall, once again, 30 of my colleagues were injured in the line of duty. Any assault on police is unacceptable.” Notting Hill Carnival: the stabbing was the only major incident of the whole weekend Notting Hill Carnival: thousands of people paid tribute to Grenfell Tower victims Notting Hill Carnival: Couple performs 'daggering' dance move Over the weekend, the Met Police’s newly formed Violent Crime Task Force officers seized dozens of weapons in and around the Carnival area. For the first time, the police employed screening arches at certain locations, to deter those who may have been planning on coming to the event armed with an offensive weapon. Commander Musker said: “We believe they acted as a successful deterrent, as well as detecting a substantial number of offensive weapons.” He added: “I authorised a Section 60 Order across the Carnival area in response to the recent increase in violent crime in the capital. “I am confident that the Section 60 order imposed yesterday prevented dangerous items being brought to carnival, and based on the intelligence at my disposal, I consider it proportionate and necessary to ensure a safe carnival.” Among the items seized were knives, a metal pole and a taser. Officers detained 156 people on drugs offences, 69 on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and nine on suspicion of sexual offences. Notting Hill Carnival: the event draws thousands of people from all over the world Notting Hill Carnival: Lily Allen performed at the event on the Sir Lloyd Sound Stage<doc-sep>
T he Notting Hill Carnival has begun its second day of festivities in a vibrant display of colour and sparkle. Carnival queens got celebrations under way wearing bright feather headbands and dazzling outfits as dancers prepared to welcome hundreds of thousands heading to west London on Monday. Day two of the event began with sunny spells allowing dancers to wear their vibrant outfits uncovered by ponchos and rain coats. Downpours blighted Family Day at the carnival on Sunday, with visitors forced to take shelter under umbrellas and wet weather gear. Brazilian dancer Juliana Campos poses with a police officer as she prepares to take part in the Notting Hill Carnival / PA Dancers were pictured posing alongside police officers, who made 133 arrests and recovered 16 knives during the first day of the Carnival. Officers detained 42 people on drugs offences, 20 on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and seven on public order offences. Dancers dressed in colourful costumes as day two of the festivities got under way / EPA A further two people were arrested on suspicion of sexual offences, three for common assault and 12 on suspicion of possessing psychoactive drugs. Police were operating with enhanced stop and search powers in a bid to crack down on violence. Day two at the Notting Hill Carnival Scotland Yard said it would also be imposing a Section 60 order across the carnival's geographical area between 9am and 11.59pm on Monday. The Bank Holiday weekend event, which has been brought to London annually for more than 50 years, is expected to attract more than a million revellers to its floats, food stalls and music over the course of the two days. Hundreds of thousands are expected to descend on west London this afternoon / AFP/Getty Images A 72-second silence will be held at 3pm on both days of the carnival to remember those who died in the Grenfell Tower disaster, which happened close to the procession route. The carnival is being policed by the highest number of officers in six years. Almost 7,000 officers, some from the Metropolitan Police's newly formed Violent Crime Task Force, will be policing Monday's event to "combat the threat of violent crime". This is up from the 6,100 on-duty officers at the less busy family day on Sunday.