Carnival chiefs seek hundreds to be ‘eyes and ears’ of police

Hundreds of extra volunteers are being sought to act as the "eyes and ears" of the police at this year's Notting Hill Carnival.

It is one of a host of new measures aimed at ensuring this year's event is the safest yet — a test run for 2012 when Carnival is set to be the biggest ever, with extra spectators staying on after the London Olympics and visiting for the Paralympics.

The 250 stewards' main role this year will be to give directions on the route from Westbourne Park to Ladbroke Grove, to stop pavements becoming clogged, and to help ensure the safety of more than a million revellers.

The parade, now in its 44th year, will include a vast array of dancers in colourful costumes, 72 floats, 40 static sound systems, steel bands and hundreds of food stalls over the three-mile route.

Ancil Barclay, director of Notting Hill Carnival, said: "Volunteering to be a steward is a brilliant way of becoming involved in the occasion while also helping out fellow Londoners."

Former Carnival chairman Alex Pascall OBE, said: "You have to be alert but you must be a people person. You have to be able to take the knocks and the compliments. You have to be very thick-skinned — there's no thanks."

A Carnival spokeswoman said: "There will be an element of being the eyes and ears of the police. If stewards see any suspicious behaviour the idea is they could report it back but we would not expect them to intervene."

The earliest ever curfew will also be enforced, ensuring the streets are clear by 8.30pm to cut violence and noise. For the second year in a row, Carnival will start early, at 9am.

Police will employ knife arches and hand scanners in a bid to prevent stabbings, like the one that marred last year's event, or the rioting of 2008.

Carnival season launches next Wednesday with a month of events ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend parade. Pre-carnival, there will be musical shows in the London Calypso Tent and a "Costume Splash" with 20 groups displaying their outfits.

Children's Day is on Sunday August 29, with the main parade next day.

To volunteer as a steward, email info@nottinghill-carnival.com or telephone 020 7727 0072.

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