Sadiq Khan calls for review of controversial 696 forms targeting grime acts

Form 696 will be reviewed by the Metropolitan Police

Following on from a meeting with London-based artists, promoters and venues, Sadiq Khan has asked the Metropolitan Police to review Form 696 – a controversial risk assessment that has continuously been called out for being racist in the past. The meeting included representatives from British Underground, Electric Brixton, the Roundhouse, and artists DJ Ritu and DJ Danny Rampling.

Sadiq Khan stated to Evening Standard, “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.”

The form is an event risk assessment that was first created in October 2005 and is a requirement for live shows that “predominantly features DJs or MCs performing to a recorded backing track”. Police can cancel the shows, and the form has been accused of profiling black and Asian artists in particular. In 2010, Giggs had his tour cancelled following police advice.

Earlier this year, Afropunk founder Matthew Morgan expressed his shock at having to sign the form. He told Channel 4 News, “If I would’ve known that the 696 form was something that we would’ve had to have gone through, I probably wouldn’t have gone here with the festival.”

“This is our celebration. There was never a fight or an arrest at anything we’ve ever done.”

Culture Minister Matt Hancock has raised his concerns over the forms, which “disproportionately impacts people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.”

Artist P Money has previously said to 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,” he added.

DJ and producer Funk Butcher told Evening Standard, “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.”

Metropolitan Superintendent Roy Smith has said, “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.”

(via Evening Standard)