Changes are afoot for this year's Notting Hill Carnival, following crowd trouble at the close of last year's event which saw mobs battle with police. This year's parade event will have to finish by 9pm (which means the earliest ever start time of 10am), and the number of floats taking part in it will be reduced to 125. Although those watching the parade won't be asked to leave its close, it is assumed that revellers will automatically disperse soon after so clean up operations can start earlier, as last year's Carnival saw many people stay in the area until around midnight. This curfew will be a first for the Carnival in its 45-year history.

Noise restrictions will also be imposed as 2008 saw sound levels reach an ear-splitting 140 decibels.

• Carnival gets first dusk curfew to cut street fighting (This Is London, 6th May 2009)

Labels: Events