Police "reviewing" controversial live music form
The Metropolitan Police is carrying out a "review" of its controversial risk assessment document for live music pubs and clubs, Form 696, following criticism from MPs.
Licensees, promoters, musicians, licensing officers and councils in the capital will all be consulted as part of the review.
In a report on the Licensing Act last month MPs said the form went "way beyond the provisions" of the regime and should be scrapped.
Former Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey and head of UK Music, also called for the form to be "abolished".
The form asks licensees and promoters to state the style of music to be performed, the target audience and the name, date of birth, and address of every performer.
After announcing the review, a statement from the Metropolitan Police said: "The form is now three years old and it is right that we consider whether it still meets our requirements and the requirements of all those involved in the risk assessment process."
It added: "The form is designed to provide a risk assessment of an event before it takes place and highlight any security flaws so we can provide a safe environment for those attending."
Chief Inspector Adrian Studd, in an interview last month, appeared to defend the form after the MPs' report saying that statistically with "certain genres of music there's more likely to be trouble".
"A premises that was generally very well run, out of the blue could have some serious disorder. It could be because of the particular artist that they had," he added.
