'We need to say enough is enough': Two female police officers sexually assaulted during Notting Hill carnival

31 August 2022, 08:23 | Updated: 31 August 2022, 12:15

Two female police officers were sexually assaulted during the Notting Hill carnival.

One was grabbed around the neck and kissed on her face without consent while the other was "grinded" against by a group of men.

The Met confirmed details of both alleged assaults on Wednesday.

A 46-year-old man, Florin Matei, of Islington, was arrested and later charged with sexual assault and will appear in court on Monday, September 19.

The force said in the second instance, a group of men danced against her as other officers came to help her.

It was not possible to detain the group at the time, a spokesperson added, but an investigation is ongoing.

"We recognise the impact such offences can have and we will provide both officers with the support they need. Neither officer was physically injured," the spokesperson said.

Pol Fed Chair says female officer was sexually assaulted at Carnival

Ken Marsh, the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, told LBC's Nick Ferrari: "It's disgusting.

"Sexually assaulted by numerous males during the carnival... and my thoughts go out to that individual right now."

Figures released on Tuesday said that 74 officers were injured during this year's event.

Mr Marsh's federation said in a statement previously: "We are supporting colleagues. Every year our brave officers come under attack at this event.

"Colleagues dread policing it. And yet nothing changes."

Read more: Met officers admit they 'dread' policing Notting Hill Carnival as 74 hurt during event

He added: "We've seized dozens of knives over the course of the two days, we've stopped probably 200 or 300 fights, small, sporadic fights. This is not a fun-loving weekend.

"98% of people who go there are law-abiding and want to enjoy themselves.

"The element, and there is an element, and I'm going to put it out there, because I'm absolutely fed up with no one talking about it, there is an element which go for one reason.

"That is to cause harm to others and that is not stopping, has never stopped and we need to just say enough is enough."

Seven stabbings were reported across the carnival – the first time the vibrant celebration since the pandemic.

Six of those were non-fatal.

Bristol rapper TkorStretch was stabbed to death. The 21-year-old was set to become a father and had gone to the carnival with friends and his younger sister.

Read more: Notting Hill resident of 15 years says carnival shouldn't be on ‘people’s streets’

A murder probe is under way.

Mr Marsh was furious with the way the event takes place.

"I think it should be stopped yesterday. I think it should be in a private area, Hyde Park, etcetera, where it can be fenced off, people can be controlled… you cannot have a situation where we talk about 1.5m, 2m – what are we talking next year, 3m?" he asked.

"We don't have the resources to deal with it. This is tens of millions of pounds of public money that is spent on policing this.

"We are left ultimately responsible for it, whatever goes wrong, we are ultimately responsible and the mayor will be down our throats quicker than you can blink if something terrible goes wrong.

"This is absurd, this cannot continue."