The body representing police officers across London will be closely monitoring colleague welfare and wellbeing – as well as cops coming under attack – at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival.
The Metropolitan Police Federation – which represents 30,000 police officers across the capital – is urging officers who police the event over the Bank Holiday weekend to text them if they have been the victim of an assault.
The live Federation survey – which will be sent to the thousands of officers needed to police the Carnival - will also ask colleagues if the force have granted them sufficient rest between their shifts and if they have had access to food and water.
Paula Dodds, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, has policed the carnival 14 times. She said: “The Notting Hill Carnival is the most demanding event in the calendar for our colleagues in the capital… who are already stretched beyond belief.
“All we are looking for is a safe event for the millions of members of the public who attend the event - and very importantly the thousands of colleagues who police it.
“We will be working with the Metropolitan Police as we have done in previous years to ensure our members are properly looked after and that our – and their – concerns are swiftly addressed.
“Officer safety and welfare must be paramount.”
Data shows that 349 Metropolitan Police officers were injured or assaulted at the Carnival over the past four years.
Injuries to officers at last year’s event included a broken nose and a serious bite to the hand.
In previous years officers have been spat at and urinated on.
Paula added: “One assault on a police officer is one too many and their welfare must remain a top priority for senior officers at the force... and politicians.
“We will have Federation representatives – officers looking after their fellow officers – on the ground all weekend to who want to hear about any issues faced by those working.
“We would encourage all colleagues to keep us informed in real time about what is happening out there. It does make a difference.
“We are pleased that the concerns we raised last year contributed to the work which led to a fall in serious violence at the two-day event and look forward to this collaborative working continuing in years to come.”
