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Dozens arrested, hurt at London’s Notting Hill Carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival, which has taken place annually since 1964, is expected to attract over a million people.

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A 20-year-old man was taken to hospital and his condition is not life threatening.

The officer, who has not been identified, was watching crowds at the annual Notting Hill carnival when the women approached him.

Thousands of revellers have turned out for the second and final day of the annual street party in west London.

Many festival-goers ended up needing medical attention both roadside and in a facility, reveals WRAL, after falling ill due to excessive alcohol and drug intake.

A performer takes part in the Notting Hill Carnival on August 28.

As of midnight Sunday, the London Ambulance Service said it had treated 411 patients for various injuries, and taken 77 to hospital, AP reported.

The attack is one of four stabbings reported on the carnival’s first day, dedicated to children and families.

These included two alleged sexual offences, 37 drugs offences, 13 counts of possession of offensive weapons and alleged theft and public disorder.

The carnival, founded in 1966 by West Indian immigrants after the Notting Hill race riots of 1958, frequently has involved clashes with police. Police presence is not always appreciated at the event, with the 2008 carnival ending in a street riot as a result, after authorities seized various risky weapons such as a Taser gun. This year police have deployed a 7,000-strong force to keep the peace. Last year, police arrested 407 people, a record for an event where knifings committed by youth gangs have become a troubling trend.

The carnival remains one of Europe’s biggest street parties with hundreds of thousands attending each year.

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At least 60 bands will perform and 38 sound systems will be in place over the two-day event, which continues over the bank holiday.

More than 100 arrested dozens hurt at Notting Hill Carnival