See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy KATHERINE LAWTON, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 16:02 BST, 27 August 2026 | Updated: 16:04 BST, 27 August 2026
Residents and businesses have boarded up their properties as they brace for a weekend of carnage during the Notting Hill Carnival. Some 7,000 Metropolitan Police officers and staff will be on duty to manage two million revellers who are set to descend on the streets of west London from Saturday. But homeowners and business owners remain fearful for the safety of their properties following last year's record-breaking number of arrests, with the festival notorious for crime. There were two stabbings at last year's event, compared to two murders and eight stabbings in 2024. Photos taken today show locals covering up their homes and shops with protective boarding to stop revellers vandalising them. A Tesco Express on Ladbroke Road was covered up with temporary boards yesterday, while its cashpoint was cordoned off with tape. More than 3,000 stewards will be on duty this weekend - double the usual number - after crowd control responsibilities were transferred from Scotland Yard to the event organisers following an extra £4.66million grant announced by Sir Sadiq Khan in March.But Susan Hall, leader of the Conservative group at the London Assembly, said she remained concerned about the security risks and called on the Mayor to 'get a grip on this once and for all before more people are injured or die needlessly'. A stunning home in Notting Hill is boarded up today ahead of Notting Hill Carnival this weekend More houses are covered up with temporary boards as locals fear for the safety of their buildings A business is boarded up in Notting Hill ahead of the carnival, which starts on Saturday A row of stunning homes is seen covered up ahead of the chaotic event More shops are boarded up to protect the properties from damage during the carnival
