Cops launch urgent search for boy, eight, separated from parents in Notting Hill Carnival crowds

AN URGENT search is underway for an eight-year-old boy who went missing at Notting Hill Carnival. Shawn was seperated from his parents in the massive crowds and was last seen at around 4.42pm on Wedlake Street, near to Kensal Road. The boy got lost in the huge crwods which descend on the street carnival Credit: Getty Police have launched an appeal to find the missing child Credit: Getty He is described as black, 3ft 8in tall, and was wearing black shorts, a black top and a hat. Cops said in an update this evening that the boy has now been found safe and sound. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Previously Commander Charmain Brenyah, from the Metropolitan Police Service, said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for Shawn’s welfare due to his young age. “Notting Hill Carnival is an extremely large and busy event, and officers are carrying out extensive enquiries to find Shawn and reunite him with his family as quickly as possible. “We are asking anyone who has seen Shawn, or who has any information about where he may be, to contact police immediately.” Around 2 million people attend Notting Hill Carnival each year. The world famous party celebrated its 60th anniversary this year as partygoers descended on West London. The annual carnival is Europe’s biggest street party and billed by organisers as “the greatest community-led event on the planet”. Most read in The Sun Around 7,000 officers were deployed to keep order at Europe’s largest street party Credit: Alamy Poloice carry off a man who has collapsed at the street party for further treatment Credit: Alamy The day party of live music and fabulous outfits is often marred by fatal stabbings and sexual assaults. Cops made 169 arrests on the first full day of the carnival this year for charges including possession of drugs and weapons, sexual offences and assaults – and two knife attacks. Officers raced to the scene of one slashing to the leg and another knifing to the hand. Neither resulted in life-changing or threatening injuries with the victims treated at the scene. Earlier this week, the force said more than 7,000 officers would be deployed to west London over the bank holiday weekend. It comes after a horrifying spate of stabbings in previous years – including the murder of mum Cher Maximen as she tried to intervene in an attack. In 2025, the Met made 528 arrests across the two main days of the carnival, the majority for drug offences but also dozens for weapons posession, violence and sexual assault. The year before was marked by eight stabbings, including the murder of mum Cher in front of her three-year-old daughter and the killing of top chef Mussie Imnetu. Mum Cher Maximen was knifed to death in front of her three-year-old daughter at Notting Hill Carnival two years ago Credit: Met Police Mussie Imnetu succumbed to his injuries sustained at Notting Hill Carnival in 2024 Credit: PA There were also eight knife attacks in 2023 and seven including a murder in 2022.