Eight police officers were taken to hospital for treatment after being spat at whilst on duty at Notting Hill Carnival.
Speaking after the world famous carnival, which drew in some two million people to the west London area of Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove, Commander Dave Musker said the eight Metropolitan Police officers had to have anti-viral treatment in hospital.
Commander Musker, who was in charge of the carnival policing operation, said: "A number of things were done differently this year, including our response to assaults against police officers.
"Our revised method of recording incidents, Operation Hampshire, has resulted in closer attention being paid to officer welfare, and a higher level of support being provided.
"Under the new system we recorded 45 incidents of assault against a police officer, for varying degrees of minor injuries and eight officers' required anti-viral treatment at hospital as a result of being spat at.
"Of these 45 incidents, 25 assaults resulted in arrest."
6,000 officers were deployed to the annual parade on Sunday, and 7,000 on Monday to man the streets.
The 2016 event was the 50th anniversary of the carnival and the Met confirmed is now the year of the highest number of arrests being made, largely due to alleged drugs possession.
Police made over 450 arrests over the bank holiday weekend, topping 407 from 2015, with 90 being for alleged possession of points and blades.
And it wasn't just arrests which were dealt with, after Metropolitan police officers were quick to wade into busy crowds after a fight broke out.
The shocking revelation that police were forced into hospital after being spat at follows reports that this is also a huge issue faced by paramedics too.
Commander Musker said: "Whilst a total of 454 people were arrested at carnival over Sunday and Monday, the highest number of arrests in more than a decade, there are contributing factors to this increase.
"The recent change in legislation around psychoactive drugs resulted in a high number of drug related arrests and high volume seizures, including nitrous oxide.
"I am very proud of all the officers and staff who were deployed to carnival this year.
"Once again they demonstrated their unwavering professionalism and bravery to ensure this spectacular celebration, that headlines the London event calendar, was not spoilt by a small minority wishing to use the carnival a cover for committing crime."
