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LONDON (AP) — London police arrested 454 people during the two-day Notting Hill Carnival as stabbings and drug offenses marred the Caribbean-inspired street party.
The Metropolitan Police reported Tuesday that the arrests were the highest number in more than a decade and attributed the increase to tighter laws on psychoactive drugs, including nitrous oxide.
Authorities said there were 15 violent injuries involving a knife or a blade.
A 14-year-old boy was among those facing charges for a string of knife attacks starting Sunday. Among the wounded were three teenage boys and a 20-year-old man.
Commander Dave Musker, who was in charge of the policing operation, said that the policing ensured that the celebration was not "spoilt by a small minority" who wanted to use the distraction of the carnival to commit crimes.
Police also highlighted the creation of "an anti-social behavior dispersal zone" and issued 47 people with notices to leave the area and not return for a set period of time.
The annual west London celebration of reggae music, steel drums and dancers evokes the neighborhood's West Indies heritage.
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