Notting Hill Carnival floats told: Keep sound down

Floats at the Notting Hill Carnival are to be asked to turn down their sound systems this weekend if they breach noise levels.

Council officers are to patrol the Carnival route measuring sound systems suspected of exceeding the official threshold of 140 decibels.

The noise crackdown comes amid fears for the hearing of children and because the emergency services may not be able to communicate with each other.

Last year there were several occasions when the music from sound systems reached 140 decibels, which can damage hearing.

Floats are also being asked to start at the earlier time of 9am in order to ensure they finish early.

The moves are part of an effort to prevent a repeat of the violence that marred the end of last year's event. A total of 11,000 officers are to police the Carnival.