- Europe's biggest street festival attracts revellers from all around the world for three-day dance and music celebration
- More than one million people are expected to take to streets to enjoy the parades, pounding music and traditional food
- Police have made preemptive arrests to ward off any trouble and want to make sure the event is 'safe and vibrant'
Pounding music, vibrant costumes and the smell of Caribbean food have signalled the start of London's annual Notting Hill Carnival.
The capital has been taken over by Europe's biggest street festival with dancers and musicians parading through the streets joined by crowds of visitors.
More than one million people are expected to attend the Caribbean celebration over the next two days. Today is traditionally aimed at families but warm weather could draw larger crowds than expected, while rain is predicted for tomorrow.
A performer in colourful dress parades through the streets at the Notting Hill Carnival in London today for the largest street festival in Europe which was first held in 1964
Many of those taking part have spent weeks preparing their incredible costumes, ahead of what has become a huge date in the social calendar of countless Londoners
The event started on Saturday - with an evening event in Emslie Horniman Pleasance Park, west London - but got into full party mode this afternoon
Police officers join the fun as dancer twerks in front of one policeman and another is given a Caribbean-style hat to put on top of his traditional police helmet
Crowds gather to watch four police officers pin a man to the ground as he is arrested during the Notting Hill Carnival on Saturday eveningSix thousand police officers are attending the event, which is one of the largest operations in the Metropolitan Police force's calendar. Chief Superintendent Robyn Williams said the force's priority is to 'facilitate a safe and vibrant carnival'.
She said: 'Carnival very much presents us with two extremes; those who want to enjoy the sound systems, cuisine and have a good time and those who use it as an opportunity to commit crime.'
Children's Day will see family-friendly floats make their way from Westbourne Park Underground station to Ladbroke Grove. However, the thumping bass of the sound systems is as loud as ever. Organisers said this year marks the first milestone in the build-up to the event's 50th anniversary in 2016.
A number of business owners and residents have boarded up their properties on the carnival route in a bid to avoid damage. A gang crime crackdown in the run-up to the party has seen 157 arrests and the seizure of guns, drugs and thousands of pounds in cash.
As well as carefully-prepared costumes, headdresses and hairstyles, many of those dancing in the streets have spent hours designing and preparing their face paint
Around one million people are expected to descend on the capital to experience the costumes, music, food and dancing of the Bank Holiday weekend event
A youngster blows a vuvuzela on a day traditionally reserved for family-friendly fun while another reveller shows off her jewel-studded outfit and head-dress
Organisers have worked hard to make this year's event family-friendly and six thousand police are on hand to make sure the carnival is enjoyed by all
Performers wait their turn to join the procession parade through the streets as west London comes alive to steel bands, colourful floats and costumed performersAs part of Operation Kent officers retrieved two machine guns and a handgun, crack cocaine and around £78,000 in cash. Officers known as 'super-recognisers' are primed to spot those banned from the event, as well as gangs and groups who attend.
However Chief Superintendent Williams said the arrests did not indicate the level of crime expected at the event.
She said: 'The proactive, pre-emptive focus of the carnival was highly effective. The success of the operation doesn't present a direct correlation of what may or may not happen.'
She added: 'The most serious violent crime at the event has reduced over the years and considering the number of people here we have a relatively low crime rate.'
Participants young and old join the throng. Traditionally aimed the Caribbean community, the event now attracts entrants from a range of groups from around London
With washout weather forecast for tomorrow, organisers were expecting a huge turnout for today's parade from people determined to enjoy the summer sunshine
As the event has grown in fame and popularity over the years, the costumes of those taking part in the processions have grown more and more elaborate
Two revellers covered in multi-coloured paint were among the hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets and soaking up the atmosphere this afternoonHowever she warned visitors to be alert and take steps to reduce their vulnerability to low level crime by not wearing valuable jewellery or holding mobile phones on show and considering how much they drink.
Asked about the planning which goes into the police operation, she said: 'Let me put it this way, on Tuesday morning we'll begin planning Notting Hill Carnival 2015.'
The event has taken place since 1966, when it was introduced to improve race relations in the area. The event has become increasingly popular in recent years and now contributes an estimated £93million to the local economy.
Safety concerns about the number of people packing into the narrow streets have led some to suggest the event be moved to Hyde Park. But many say such a move would take away the tradition of the carnival.
The procession now moves through a large area of west London, snaking from Ladbroke Grove to Kensal Green before taking in Kensington and Notting Hill
A participant shows off her outfit ahead of the Children's Parade this afternoon. The weekend is expected to attract a million people from around Britain and the world
One of hundreds of drummers at the event performs next to the procession. Drumming bands and loud bass beats are a feature of the annual event
A carnival-goer adjusts her earrings as she prepares to join the party this afternoon. Thousands donned hats, wigs, head-dresses and costumes for the fun
Around a million people are expected to visit the area over the Bank Holiday weekend to enjoy the music, costumes and Caribbean food which is served on the streets
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