Police review risk assessment form 'that unfairly targets grime, garage and RnB shows'

Rapper Giggs has called for police to work more closely with grime acts to stop shows being cancelled
Tabatha Fireman/Getty Images

Scotland Yard is to review a controversial risk assessment form for live music events in response to concerns that it unfairly targets grime, garage and RnB acts.

Sadiq Khan has asked the Met to look again at ‘form 696’ following a meeting with London’s top artists, promoters and venues.

Attendees at the summit included DJ Ritu and DJ Danny Rampling as well as promoters and venues such as British Underground, Electric Brixton and the Roundhouse.

Peckham-based rapper Giggs, whose 2010 tour was cancelled on police advice, is among those calling for a re-think.

Artist P Money said he had been removed from gig line-ups because of information on the form, which he described as a “race thing”.

He told the BBC: “We know they’re just trying to shut down grime, because if it was anything else they wouldn’t have this issue. If, for example, Ed Sheeran had a show and a fight broke out, he’s not going to do a 696 on his next arena tour.

“Why is it different? There’s fights everywhere, there’s situations everywhere at all types of shows, all types of things, whether its punk, rock, hip hop, pop, whatever.”

DJ and Producer Kwame Safo aka Funk Butcher said: “Form 696 has always felt punitive for certain parts of the capital’s music community. This discussion will be a step in the right direction to redressing the grievances.”

The Mayor has also come under pressure from culture minister Matt Hancock who has described the form’s targeting of live music from minority backgrounds as an “injustice”.

The Tory MP told the Standard: “London’s live music scene needs support. We want to see an end to the use of form 696 which is too often a barrier to live music, and particularly targets acts from ethnic minority backgrounds.”

The form, which asks for names and contact details of all artists and promoters is intended to help clubs, security and police to work together to prevent serious violent crime.

Mr Khan said: “This risk assessment shouldn’t compromise the capital’s vibrant grassroots music industry or unfairly target one community or music genre, which is why the Met is reviewing their Form 696 process.”

Met Supt Roy Smith said: “The use of the Form 696 enables us to provide advice and guidance on the risk posed by an event and suggest measures which can be taken to manage those risks.

“So far in 2017 no events have been cancelled at the request of the police following the submission of a Form 696. We welcome the opportunity to work with the music industry and the Mayor’s office to review the process.”

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