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The carnival is now in its 10th year |
1976: Notting Hill Carnival ends in riot
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Artificially 1969: FilmTheTheAA . More than 100 police officers had to be taken to hospital after clashes at the Notting Hill Carnival in west London.
Most were released after treatment but at least 26 have been detained overnight for observation or further treatment.
Around 60 carnival-goers also needed hospital treatment after the clashes which led to the arrest of at least 66 people.
The trouble is believed to have started after police tried to arrest a pickpocket near Portobello Road on the main carnival route.
Several black youths went to the pickpocket's aid and within minutes thedisturbanceescalated.
The police were attacked with stones and other missiles.
They armed themselves with dustbin lids, milk crates and wire fencing and charged the rioters.
At one stage a group of black youths were seen moving up Westbourne Park road smashing windows.
Gangs of white youths were also said to have been involved in the violence.
One witness, Raymond Hunter, who lives in Westbourne Park Road said he saw a police van set alight.
"The two policemen managed to get out of the van and fled. The gang then turned the van over and set fire to it," Mr Hunter said.
The disturbances effectively put an end to the annual celebration of Caribbean culture.
Police sealed off roads and closed pubs in the area as well as shutting down Ladbroke Grove underground station in an attempt to contain the violence.
In the past, the carnival - now in its 10th year - has been largely peaceful in spite of tensions with police.
A member of the Notting Hill Carnival Development Committee, Selwyn Baptiste, said they had been optimistic after the first day of the festival passed off peacefully.
"We had no reason to suppose it would be any different today. This was supposed to be about fun and love - not violence," Mr Baptiste said.
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