We live by Notting Hill carnival – we’re barricading our homes to stop drunk revellers fighting in our garden
RESIDENTS who live by the Notting Hill Carnival are barricading their homes to stop drunk revellers fighting in their gardens.
Thousands will hit the streets of West London this weekend for a festival of music, food and colour.
And locals are already setting up their defences against Europe's largest street carnival - which has taken place in the neighbourhood since 1966 - after seeing the party atmosphere often descend into violence.
Police made 209 arrests at Notting Hill Carnival last year for offences including drug possession, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon.
Takayo Nembhard, 21, who released drill music under the name TKorStretch, was stabbed to death.
Two female cops were also sexually assaulted with one allegedly grabbed around the neck and kissed on the face without her consent.
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As a result, security boards are being installed over hundreds of shops and houses along the route over fears the buildings will be "destroyed".
Munian Barakat, originally from Palestine, has lived in her building for two years, but is ";scared" of the carnival.
"People use the front of the building and our door as a toilet," the 67-year-old told the Sun.
"It's just too much and they throw rubbish over the fence. It's not right.
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"That's why I asked the neighbours to put up the wooden barriers because it's really dangerous. I'm an old woman.
"I'm planning to go to my daughter's house this year. I don't want to come back and find my house destroyed or the windows broken.
"There's too much noise when the carnival comes by and it can be scary. It's messy. People are sometimes drunk and hitting each other."
Kamal el-Sayed, 66, from London, who has only lived in his new flat for four weeks, described how people urinate at the front of his property.
He said: "We've never had an experience like this before. Our neighbours told us there is going to be a lot of hassle.
"I've been told people jump over the barriers and use our basement area as a toilet.
"The gentleman that came last week asked if he could just cover the gates to prevent people from getting in.
"This is a building with a lot of disabled people as well. I'm worried. I have a child.
"Of course when people are drinking they don't know what's going on around them."
Luigi Gaudio, who is the manager of Franklin's Wine, detailed the impact the carnival has on his business.
"All the businesses in this area book in companies to board up their shop windows and gates for the carnival," he said.
"The council also gets local artists to graffiti the wooden boards.
"However the carnival is not beneficial to our business. We lose money this week.
"People don't come here during the carnival and there is loud music on all the time.
"If we didn't board up the business we would get a lot of damage. People drop litter and urinate.
"It would end up costing more to clean it up and we have fine wines here."
The 45-year-old Italian continued: "For the past couple of years it has been very bad and some people have been killed.
"When you have so many people together there is that risk and you can't control everyone.
"We are still going to be open. We'll have a small hatch and will be selling special drinks.
"It cost £1,500 to put up all the boards and take them down.
"Last year a few people left their cars on the street. There was a Porsche. It was totally damaged.
"All the windows were smashed and the paint was scratched."
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The Met Police tweeted: "We have highly visible police presence within the area of Notting Hill with the #NottingHillCarnival23 this weekend.
"Please enjoy the carnival safely – but if something doesn't feel right, speak to an officer, safety steward or dial 999 in an emergency."
Notting Hill Carnival: Hundreds of arrests and dozens of assaults reported last year
The alleged offences broke downs as:
- 36 x possession of drugs
- 5 x criminal damage
- 27 x public order
- 46 x assault
- 8 x sexual assault
- 10 x possession of psychoactive substances
- 33 x possession of an offensive weapon
- 7 x drink/drug driving
- 35 x Other
- 1 x theft
- 1 x Robbery