TORONTO - Police were searching through thousands of revellers at the Caribbean Carnival parade Saturday for six suspected gunmen who they allege are armed and dangerous.

The names and mug shots of the Toronto-area fugitives were released by police two days before the parade as they sought the public's help in capturing them.

Officers of the force's Gun and Gang Task Force allege some of the men are bitter rivals who are likely to begin shooting if they see each other at carnival events.

Hundreds of uniform and plainclothes officers lined the route in search of possible trouble makers, who police suspect may try to seek revenge for the July 16 mass shooting during a community barbecue in the city's east end that left two people dead and 23 wounded.

Hundreds of private security guards were also searching the bags of paying Carnival revellers for contraband.

Const. Tony Vella said early on Saturday there was a "significant" police presence at the parade and there were no incidents.

He had no comment on a police pre-carnival probe that removed more than a dozen weapons off the streets of Toronto in the last week.

Several dozen people were arrested for gun offences or detained for breaching bail or parole conditions.

The Caribbean Carnival parade was held Saturday afternoon. There was seating for 20,000, but thousands more stood along the parade route.