A survey on the Notting Hill Carnival shows nearly a quarter of residents dislike it, with complaints about people urinating in the street and the event being like “a riot”.
Kensington and Chelsea council started a consultation in December after last year’s event came in for stinging criticism at a public meeting, with some people suggesting it should be moved to Hyde Park instead.
Last year’s event saw 407 arrests, the highest number in a decade, 11 stabbings and more than 40 blades seized.
And survey results published this week showed nearly a quarter of residents who responded, 23 per cent, ticked a box saying they ‘do not enjoy the carnival’.
Almost half the respondents said they were concerned about a lack of toilets at the event, with 43 per cent complaining about people urinating in the street.
One said: “Every single year I have people urinating, defecating and vomiting next to my house, behaving disgracefully in other ways, and being extremely aggressive if they're challenged.”
Another respondent also complained about “aggression” at the street party. They wrote: “In any other context, where shops have to board up and tenant management organisations and housing trusts have to protect their properties, this event would be considered a riot.”
Around one third of people were annoyed by the noise levels from booming sound systems and road closures during the bank holiday weekend.
And 35 per cent of residents did not attend last year’s carnival, with many citing safety concerns and leaving the area completely to avoid feeling “trapped” in their homes.
Despite some of the negativity, 61 per cent of residents who did attend said the event was “great fun”, with the number soaring for people outside the area. Of those residents who attended, 82 per cent gave it a positive rating overall.
One person described it as “a blessing, a celebration and a wonderful, wonderful event.”
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The results were discussed by a committee at the town hall this week, with members agreeing to work with the London Notting Hill Carnival Enterprises Trust (LNHCET) to address people’s worries, particularly the lack of toilets.
A spokesman for the council said: “We are pleased to see the local support residents have for the Notting Hill Carnival. It is one of the biggest events of the year in Britain and has been a part of local life for 50 years.
“There are always challenges with any event of such a size, particularly in the crowded streets of London, so it is gratifying that so many residents say that they enjoy it.
"We are also pleased to see that nearly three quarters of residents are happy with the clean-up operation.
“Every year we work closely with the organisers LNHCET, the police, London Ambulance, Westminster Council and others to facilitate Carnival, and continue to review what we all do to address residents’ concerns.
“Our aim is always to help ensure carnival is enjoyable and safe for visitors and residents and that the streets are clean and the area returns to normal as soon as possible afterwards.”
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