Calls develop to take Notting Hill Carnival off the road

First came the long weekend of violence and disorder, quickly followed by a week of predictable debate and dithering. And then came news yesterday of a devastating postscript to the annual event that is now a byword for misery and carnage.

It was that former actress and model Cher Maximen, 32 – stabbed at Notting Hill carnival in front of her three-year-old daughter on the so-called ‘family day’ last Sunday – died on Saturday.

That was tragic enough, but she wasn’t the only one. At the same time, police announced that chef Mussie Imnetu, 41, a former protege of Gordon Ramsay, had succumbed to his injuries. 

In a separate incident he lost consciousness after being headbutted in Queensway, near the carnival route, on Bank Holiday Monday. He died on Friday night.

Detectives have launched murder investigations into both attacks, which have prompted demands to end the 58-year-old carnival, which has become increasingly difficult to manage, in its current form. Police and politicians want it moved off the streets.

The Met’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: ‘We are tired of saying the same words every year. We are tired of telling families that their loved ones are seriously injured, or worse. We are tired of seeing crime scenes at carnival.’

Remembered yesterday as ‘a lovely, caring funny person’, Ms Maximen was innocently caught up in a fight between rival groups of men when she was stabbed in the groin. She suffered a cardiac arrest, a collapsed lung and lost 20 units of blood.

Harrow East Tory MP Bob Blackman said: ‘This should be the last Notting Hill Carnival that takes place in the streets. In the wake of these dreadful deaths and other violence we have witnessed this year, the event in its current form cannot continue.

‘It must be moved to a central London park or another venue which makes it easier for the police to pick out the trouble-makers and to control the crowds.

‘Conservatives on the London Assembly have called for this before. What a terrible shame they weren’t listened to.’

Across the weekend, 349 arrests were made: 72 for possession of an offensive weapon, one for possession of a firearm (though later reports suggest police seized three guns), 13 arrests for sexual offences, 53 for assaults on emergency workers and 49 arrests for possession of drugs.

On top of this, five stabbings were reported – including one involving a corrosive substance.

Met Police Federation chairman Rick Prior said the event had ‘outgrown its current footprint’. 

He added: ‘Alternative venues, be it Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens, should be scoped to allow for a safer policing operation. We had officers isolated over the weekend, unable to move because they were surrounded and packed in.’

Last week London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the carnival was part of the ‘fabric of the city’ and praised its ‘fantastic scenes’ and the ‘amazing way’ it brought communities together.

His rival in last year’s London mayoral race, Conservative Susan Hall, shot back, saying: ‘He’s quick to criticise the far-Right riots – which of course are wrong – but when it comes to stabbings, possession of firearms and drug-taking on his doorstep, he’s embarrassingly quiet.’

Yesterday Mr Khan described the violence as ‘completely unacceptable’ but gave no hint of specific tough new restrictions.

‘It is heartbreaking that Cher Maximen and Mussie Imnetu have died after being attacked in incidents over the bank holiday weekend,’ he said.

‘This violence is shocking, completely unacceptable and a betrayal of the values that carnival was founded to celebrate.’

Detectives are now appealing for information from diners at the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway who tried to stop the attack on Mr Imnetu.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie said: ‘Mussie’s family, friends and colleagues in London, Dubai, Sweden and Eritrea are inconsolable.

‘Our investigation is well advanced but we are very keen to hear from anyone who can piece together Mussie’s movements between 13:00hrs, when we know he left the Arts Club in Dover Street, W1, and when he arrived at Dr Power restaurant in Queensway, at 22:30hrs.

‘The attack happened around 23:20hrs. Customers at the venue tried to help stop the attack. 

‘We need to speak with these people and I urge them to contact us.’

He said officers would be outside the restaurant tomorrow night to hand out appeal leaflets and speak with local people.

Commander Charmain Brenyah, the Met’s spokesperson for the carnival, said: ‘The news of Cher’s tragic death is devastating for her family, the wider community and all those involved in delivering the Notting Hill Carnival.

‘Carnival is about bringing people together in a positive celebration. That it has ended with the tragic loss of life, among other incidents of serious violence, will sadden everyone involved.’

In a statement the organisers of Notting Hill Carnival said they were ‘shocked’ following the two deaths: ‘We stand together against all violence and condemn these acts, which are against all carnival values and the millions of people who come in celebration of them.’