In September, Sadiq Khan called for a review of Form 696 – a controversial risk assessment that’s been continuously called out for disproportionately targeting shows featuring artists from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.
With its beginnings in 2005, Form 696 will now be removed from the UK capital. The London Music Board conducted a meeting in September with Night Czar Amy Lamé, OBE Deputy Mayor for Culture Justine Simons and Superintendent Roy Smith.
Smith said, “We have taken the decision to remove the Form 696 and instead develop a new voluntary partnership approach for venues and promoters across London. This will provide an excellent opportunity to share information at a local level and work to identify any enhanced risk to ensure the safety of the public.”
Sadiq Khan stated, “Developing a night-time economy that works for everyone is a key priority of mine but it’s also vital that live music events in London take place safely. I called for a review of Form 696 earlier this year because of concerns raised by promoters and artists in the capital that this process was unfairly affecting specific communities and music genres.”
Afropunk founder Matthew Morgan has previously 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.”
Artist P Money once 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.”
(via Metropolitan Police)
