A man fleeing police at Notting Hill Carnival died after entering a canal, confirmed the Metropolitan Police. The body of a man believed to be in his 20s was recovered from the water near a park in North Kensington, west London, on Monday night. Police were called at 3:19 PM and attempted to stop the individual, who fled on foot before entering the water near Meanwhile Gardens. Officers and members of the public attempted to rescue him, providing CPR before he was taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Met Police commander Claire Smart stated, 'This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the loved ones of the man who has lost his life.' She added that any death following police contact is referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for investigation and urged against speculation during the inquiry.
The police reported over 300 arrests on the second day of the carnival on Sunday, with a total of 560 arrests as of Monday night. The number of arrests is expected to rise as further arrests are processed.
The carnival's 'family day' saw 243 arrests, while the 'adults day' on Monday resulted in 315 arrests. Offences included drug possession, weapon possession, assaults, and sexual offences. Two knife assaults were reported, neither resulting in life-threatening injuries.
The Metropolitan Police deployed 7,000 officers and 3,000 stewards for the event, which is Europe's largest street party. The police also utilized live facial recognition technology, leading to the identification of 61 wanted individuals and the arrest of three registered sex offenders for breaching their conditions.
The policing operation for the carnival cost £15.7 million in 2025, an increase from £11.7 million in 2024. City Hall provided an additional £4.6 million grant for stewards and CCTV, while the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea estimated its annual clean-up costs at £1 million. Some have suggested that an admission fee be imposed to help cover these costs.
The carnival has faced scrutiny in recent years due to violence and drug use, with past incidents including murders and stabbings. Despite this, organizers maintain that the event is safe and have labeled criticism as 'unfair.'