Rocking it like Rio! Notting Hill Carnival sees hundreds of thousands on the streets for Europe's biggest festival

By JAMES WHITE

Tickertape parade: Dancers scream with delight as they take part in the 2011 Notting Hill Carnival

They came in their hundreds of thousands to dance and have a good time, Rio de Janeiro-style.

And today revellers let their hair down in style at the Notting Hill Carnival in West London, with drumming groups, floats and sound systems all taking centre stage.

More than 6,500 police officers were patrolling the streets for the second day of the event as Scotland Yard continued its unprecedented security operation just weeks after the riots.

By 3pm, 17 people had been arrested, bringing the total held over two days to 99.


Main event: Drummers take to the streets of Notting Hill, west London, to perform on the second day of the carnival



Good time girls: Performers brave slightly chilly conditions in their incredible costumes


Huge event: The streets of Notting Hill and surrounding areas are filled with revellers


Record numbers of police officers were on duty, with London's reputation at stake in the wake of widespread violence and looting earlier this month.

The festivities got off to a peaceful start yesterday, with more than 5,500 officers on the streets, as revellers descended on the capital for Europe's biggest street festival.

Between 6am on Sunday and 8am today there were 88 arrests for a variety of offences, including drugs possession, public order, theft, criminal damage, robbery and assault, the Metropolitan Police said.


Flamboyant: A woman shows off her carnival costume, left, while another displays her dancing skills


Record police presence: Scotland Yard has put 6,500 officers on duty today for the carnival


Colourful: The event is expected to draw one million people to the area, making it Europe's largest street festival



Say cheese: A woman makes ingenious use of her camera to help her apply make-up today


Officers from the dog support unit also seized three Pit-Bull type dogs under section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act but no-one was arrested, the force added.

Last night, Commander Steve Rodhouse announced there would be a larger police operation in place today, with yesterday's 5,500 officers increased to 6,500.


What a day: These participants enjoy themselves while wearing dramatic headgear


Delicious: Chefs prepare industrial quantities of jerk chicken for the hungry masses


Party time: A happy dancer


Fun times: More women join the party as a policeman looks on



Putting on a show: Dancers give a dramatic performance for the Bank Holiday crowds

source: dailymail