Form 696, the Metropolitan Police’s controversial ‘risk assessment’ form for music events, is sadly in the headlines once again.
Opposition to 696 peaked last month, when prominent politicians and musicians published an open letter dubbing it “potentially racist.” The Met subsequently dropped a question asking if urban music was due to be played at events; an earlier draft of the form had infamously demanded info on which ethnic groups were expected at club nights.
Scotland Yard has now confirmed further changes. Crucially, Form 696 only now applies to “large promoted events between 10pm and 4am, which feature MCs and DJs performing to recorded backing tracks.” The Yard says evidence strongly shows that trouble is most likely at these kinds of events; but promoters are claiming the new criteria targets urban club music more fiercely than ever.
London hip-hop promoter Rod Gilmore told BBC News: “Reading between the lines, the indie kids are all right but we’ve got to look out for those black boys with microphones in their hands.”
