The Metropolitan Police has scrapped a controversial risk assessment form that some grime artists have said was used as a ‘racist’ way to target their shows.
The Met introduced Form 696 in 2005 after a series of shootings at a number of promoted club nights across London. Promoters and licensees in London have had to complete the form before hosting music events with DJs and MCs for more than 10 years – until today.
The force said it would now use a new “voluntary partnership approach” across the city after London mayor Sadiq Khan called for a review of the form earlier this year.
UK Music CEO Michael Dugher said: “This is fantastic news. UK Music has campaigned to get rid of this unpopular restriction on our diverse and vibrant music scene.”
“It’s great that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and London’s Night Czar Amy Lamé have listened to the concerns of the music industry.”
“We thank him for showing leadership on this important issue and ensuring that the London remains a world beater when it comes to our cultural music mix.”
We’ve rounded up some more responses from Twitter on this landmark decision.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan:
JUST ANNOUNCED: Form 696 has been scrapped. This decision will help London’s night-time economy thrive & shows #LondonIsOpen to music artists & DJs.https://t.co/WQxNiZkFTw pic.twitter.com/25YdwK6z8f
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) November 10, 2017
Night czar Amy Lame:
I welcome this fantastic decision to remove form 696. I'd like to thank the Met for working with us at City Hall to listen to the concerns of Londoners #LondonIsOpen https://t.co/pQXB0YFWQF
— Night Czar (@nightczar) November 10, 2017
MP of West Suffolk/minister for digital Matt Hancock:
NEWS: London Met have finally seen sense & scrapped the discriminatory #form696. Delighted they’ve listened & acted. Fantastic news for live music esp grime https://t.co/jh602Fvj8U
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) November 10, 2017
We welcome the decision to scrap controversial Form 696, thank you @amylame @SadiqKhan. CEO @MichaelDugher said “It is fantastic news that we will get rid of this unpopular restriction on our diverse and vibrant music scene.” More online here: https://t.co/RZ11Iw46vT pic.twitter.com/a2EgsoXuZ2
— UK Music (@UK_Music) November 10, 2017
Spotify senior editor Austin Darbo:
https://twitter.com/AustinDarbo/status/928998201146953728
BIG. Form 696 nearly strangled grime at its outset. For many years (early to late noughties) it was virtually impossible to see grime MCs perform at club nights or gigs in London. https://t.co/e1lhWdTtvX
— Rahul Verma (@_storywallah) November 10, 2017
Head of communications at Universal Music Jonathan Badyal:
THRILLED Form 696 has been scrapped – we worked so hard on this. Huge thanks to @MattHancock for rebooting the campaign!!!!
— Jonathan Badyal (@JonathanBadyal) November 10, 2017
