Around one million people are expected to attend the biggest street party in Europe today and tomorrow (August 24 and 25).
“Great numbers” of officers from three police forces will be focussing on tackling serious violence as well as keeping people safe in the large crowds.
Officers have already carried out a preemptive operation leading to 100 arrests, and the seizure of guns and knives.
Police have now been granted temporary powers between 10am and 2am the next morning on August 24 and 25.
Powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 have been granted to search people in a specified area for weapons or dangerous items without needing to have reasonable suspicion.
Officers can also use powers under Section 60AA of the same act, to require people to remove face coverings where they are being worn mainly to conceal identity.
Refusal to remove a face covering if asked to do so by an officer can lead to arrest.
A dispersal order under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 has been authorised between the same times in the same area.
It gives officers the power to order someone to leave the area and not return for up to 48 hours.
The powers aim to prevent intimidation, violence or disorder.
Live facial recognition cameras will be used on the approach to and from Carnival and screening arches will be used at some of the busiest entry points.
The Met Police arrested 100 people believed to pose a risk to public safety at Carnival.
21 people were recalled to prison and officers seized 11 guns and over 40 knives.
Those targeted by police were included alleged gang members who were planning to attend Carnival, and those identified as having a history of violence or sexual offending at Carnival.
Also, those believed to be in possession of weapons or involved in the supply of drugs.
Commander Charmain Brenyah, the Met’s spokesperson for Carnival, said: “We expect around one million people to be on the streets of west London for what is one of the most significant weekends in the capital’s cultural calendar.
“The vast majority come to have fun and enjoy themselves, to celebrate Caribbean culture, to dance, to eat and to go home with nothing but good memories.
“Regrettably we know a minority come with less positive intentions and in recent years this has played out in the form of serious violence including three tragic incidents where lives have been taken.
“The actions of this minority are totally at odds with the values of those who care passionately about Carnival and we acknowledge those, including the event organisers, who have stood up to condemn violence and serious criminality in the run up to this weekend.
“Our policing plan makes tackling serious violence a priority which is why we’ve carried out intelligence-led interventions against those groups and individuals who we have reason to believe pose the greatest risk to the safety of other Carnival-goers.
“We hope that this police activity will be a significant deterrent for those who otherwise might have been planning to come and engage in violence and other criminality.
“During the event, we will have officers deployed in significant numbers to deal with incidents and where possible, to intervene before they happen.
“They will be aided by technology including a network of CCTV cameras, screening arches and live facial recognition cameras deployed on the routes to and from Carnival.
“We are also considering the use of additional search powers to take dangerous weapons off the streets.”
