Notting Hill Carnival: Loaded gun was seized on Family Day

A man has been jailed after a loaded Glock pistol was seized on the Sunday of Notting Hill Carnival, known as ‘Family Day’ or Children’s Day’.

On August 27 2023, officers working on the event’s security operation CCTV monitors saw a man in Ashmore Road leaving a bum-bag behind. The weapon was found in the bag and Jade Charles, of Saltram Crescent, West Kilburn, was arrested nearby.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty in September to possession of a firearm and ammunition.

He was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Friday (April 19) to five years in prison.

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Detective Constable Andrew Payne, the investigating officer from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: "The loaded firearm in Charles' possession put innocent members of the public at risk on what is known as 'Children's Day' at Carnival.

"It's recovery has no doubt prevented it from being used to commit violent offences on our streets."

He added: "This was an excellent example of officers painstakingly viewing live images looking for things that are suspicious and reading body language, and in this case it has led to lives potentially being saved."