TROUBLEMAKERS planning to head to Oxford’s Cowley Road Carnival, this year’s, have received some unexpected visitors.

Police officers have been visiting people they suspect could cause trouble at the event in South Park on Sunday and warning them bad behaviour will not be tolerated.

East Oxford Insp Marc Tarbit said officers from his team had visited eight potential trouble makers already and would be talking to them again before the day.

The carnival attracts up to 35,000 people and is Oxfordshire’s biggest free public event.

Insp Tarbit said: “We have already made home visits to people who we think may present a risk of disorder. We are talking about fighting – which may be alcohol-related.”

Last year there were no major problems at the carnival, but the previous year saw a street fight in James Street following the event, in which three teenagers were given community orders for affray.

Insp Tarbit said: “We have had a good response. Pretty much everyone was happy to talk to the police and there is no intelligence that has been gathered to suggest things will kick off.

“It is a difficult environment with lots of people in the same place so we have a responsibility to ensure everyone is safe and can enjoy the event with their families.”

The main responsibility for security at the event lies with the organising committee but at least 18 police officers will be on site during the festivities.

The gates to the park open at 11am, and the event will feature a grand procession of more than 700 people at midday.

There will then be performers on four stages.

Organiser Karen David said: “It’s going to be our biggest event ever. We have had a huge focus on community activities and family friendly activities so it should be a really inclusive event. It’s all designed around people coming along and having a lovely time.”