More than 630 people were arrested at Notting Hill Carnival, the Met Police has revealed - as the force faces a watchdog probe over the death of a young man who went into a canal while being pursued by officers.

Officers on duty at the event on Monday attempted to stop the man, in his 20s, around Harrow Road, but he fled on foot as officers chased him.

A short time later he entered the water near Meanwhile Gardens, police said.

Officers and members of the public pulled him from the water and administered CPR. He was taken to a central London hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4.43pm. Enquiries are ongoing to inform his family.

The Met said the incident would be referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation.

Despite the tragedy, police said the weekend passed “largely without incident”, noting a marked difference in serious violence compared with previous years.

In an update on Monday morning, the Met said 636 people were arrested across Sunday and Monday as part of the Carnival policing operation.

Some 242 arrests took place on Sunday and 394 on Monday.

Officers made 193 arrests on the approaches to the event, with the remainder taking place within the event footprint.

The expanded use of live facial recognition technology led to 121 arrests and 86 registered sex offenders being stopped and spoken to.

Seven registered sex offenders were found to be breaching their conditions or notification requirements and were arrested.

Stop and search resulted in 68 weapons, including a handgun, being found.

Commenting on the death, Commander Smart said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the loved ones of the man who has lost his life.

“Any death following contact with the police is passed to the Independent Office for Police Conduct so the circumstances can be fully investigated. I would encourage everyone to avoid speculation while this work takes place.

“I acknowledge the efforts of the officers and members of the public who entered the canal to rescue this man. I know they will be devastated that his life couldn’t ultimately be saved.”

Dancers, drummers and DJs filled the streets of west London on bank holiday Monday as Notting Hill Carnival burst into life for its main event, Adults Day.

A sea of colour swept through Notting Hill on Monday, with performers dressed in bejewelled bikini-style costumes, towering feathered backpieces and elaborate headdresses adorned with sequins and beads.

Masqueraders danced their way along the parade route to the thunder of drums, while sound systems kept crowds moving throughout the day.

Monday also brought a huge Latin American presence to the streets, with samba schools and Brazilian bloco bands joining the celebrations alongside the Caribbean sounds and traditions at the heart of Carnival.

Percussion groups and drum queens helped get the party started as performers and revellers transformed the streets into one giant dance floor.

The Metropolitan Police also issued an urgent appeal to find an eight-year-old boy who became separated from his parents at the Carnival on Monday.

Police said Shawn was last seen just before 5pm on Wedlake Street, near Kensal Road. He is described as black, 3ft 8in, and was wearing black shorts, a black top and a hat.

Commander Charmain Brenyah said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for Shawn’s welfare due to his young age.

“Notting Hill Carnival is an extremely large and busy event, and officers are carrying out extensive inquiries to find Shawn and reunite him with his family as quickly as possible.

“We are asking anyone who has seen Shawn, or who has any information about where he may be, to contact police immediately.”

Of the arrests made on Monday, 48 followed identifications using live facial recognition.

Use of the technology allowed officers to stop 43 registered sex offenders to ensure they were complying with licence conditions.

Three were arrested for breaching those conditions, in addition to three arrested for breaches on Sunday.

Stop and search was used extensively, with 62 weapons seized across both days, including a handgun during the afternoon on Monday.

There were two assaults with knives – one stabbing and one slashing – neither of which resulted in life-threatening injuries.

In 2025, the Met said it made 528 arrests across the two main days of the carnival, including 167 for drug offences, 50 for possession of an offensive weapon, 21 for sexual offences, four for violence with injury and 49 for other violence.

In 2024, there were eight stabbings, including the murder of 32-year-old mother Cher Maximen, with the same number the previous year, and seven including a murder in 2022.

The annual carnival is Europe’s biggest street party and billed by organisers as “the greatest community-led event on the planet”.

One carnival-goer, named Michael, said: “Carnival is actually an important part of the culture of London, it’s honestly where everyone can come and have fun.

“No matter who you are, no matter your disability, no matter your race, no matter any background, you can come here and have fun and you’re going to meet people here that are going to make you feel welcome.”

On social media, Carnival-goers celebrated the “camaraderie, advocacy, and profound history” of the event.

Footage shared online showed one first-time attendee getting into the spirit of Carnival, dancing through the streets and blowing a whistle as a dancehall version of Angie Stone’s 2001 hit Wish I Didn’t Miss You played in the background.

Elsewhere, regular attendees reflected on what Carnival means to them.

For many, they said, it is more than just a giant street party, it is a melting pot of cultures and a celebration of diversity, community and inclusion.

Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said: “It’s been so much fun being out celebrating Notting Hill Carnival’s 60th anniversary with everyone who has come together to enjoy this incredible event.

“The costumes, the music and the atmosphere are fantastic, and it’s a real reminder of what makes carnival so special.

“I want to pay tribute to our officers, the organisers and partners who have worked so closely together to make this milestone celebration happen.

“I hope everyone has a fantastic, safe and happy carnival.”

Born out of resistance to racism and racial injustice, Notting Hill Carnival has grown into one of the world’s biggest street festivals while continuing to champion Caribbean culture and London’s minority communities.

At 3pm, a 72-second moment of reflection was observed for the 72-people who were killed in the Grenfell Tower fire.

Sunday’s Families and Children’s Day had brought a more relaxed atmosphere to the streets, with younger performers taking centre stage.

Despite 243 arrests over the weekend by the end of Sunday, the Metropolitan Police said the mood at Carnival had been “overwhelmingly positive and celebratory”.

Last week, the force said more than 7,000 officers would be deployed to west London over the bank holiday weekend.

The carnival, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, includes parades, live music, street food and sound stages.