The Met defends 696 after Industry speak out again

The Metropolitan Police recently defended the use of controversial Form 696. As previously reported , the form is currently used in some London Boroughs as a form of risk assessment as part of the licensing process of live music events. Promoters, musicians and the head of industry umbrella trade body UK Music Feargal Sharkey have all objected to what they see as racially profiling the demographic of audiences attending events.

The form demands that promoters fill out very specific information including the expected ethnic backgrounds of music fans attending particular events.

Parliament's Culture Select Committee have criticised the paperwork, stating in its report on licensing laws that it was part of an "Increasingly authoritarian approach" employed by police and local authorities in the licensing of music events. The Select Committee is also recommending that the Government should grant a licensing exemption to any premises with a capacity of less than 200 if they wish to have live performances.

MAMA Group's Live Managing Director Steve Forster said that he wasn't convinced that Form 696 was the most effective and acceptable way to prevent crime within clubs and music events. Speaking with CMU daily, Forster emphasised that police should be focusing on the small number of “High risk events” rather than putting all music promoters through the intrusive process. MAMA Group's portfolio includes several key London venues including The Forum and The Hammersmith Apollo in partnership with HMV alongside soon to be re-opened legendary venue The Garage.

The form has also fielded criticism from many musicians, including Jon McClure of Reverend And The Makers (pictured above), who helped set up a petition calling for the abolishment of the form here.

However, Billboard then reported that Thomas Bowen and Adrian Studd of The Metropolitan Police argued at The Great Escape music convention in Brighton last month that there had been an 11% reduction in crime at live venues in London this year, adding that information garnered from Form 696 has invaluably assisted in that process, claiming that: "The development of Form 696 has undoubtedly contributed to lowering shootings in these venues".

Following this, the form was defended by Chief Inspector Adrian Studd of the Metropolitan Police's Clubs and Vice Unit, who stated that he categorically doesn't think that the form will be discontinued following a police review.

"I'm confident the form will be staying because it's a very effective crime prevention tool," he told BBC 6music in an interview. He added "The whole point of the form is to improve safety at events."

Have your say on Form 696: Does this actually amount to racial profiling by the Police? Or is it simply a damage limitation measure by the Met that seems to have had some success in reducing crime? Should the form be more strategic or should all promoters have to comply? Are you going to join the petition?