Live music exempt from Form 696
London pubs that stage live music will no longer have to abide by stringent risk assessment forms.
The Metropolitan Police has made changes to controversial Form 696 after an investigation found live music does not cause disorder. However, campaign group UK Music wants the forms scrapped all together.
Under the forms, licensees in participating boroughs are asked to state details for promoted events, including names, ages and contact details of every promoter or performer.
Other details such as the music style and "target audience" are required. Licensees are also expected to complete an after-promotion "debrief".
The Met has now changed the forms after a review. It now apply to events that are:
- Promoted/advertised to the public at any time before the event
- Includes DJs or MCs performing to a recorded backing track
- Runs anytime between the hours of 10pm and 4am
- In a nightclub or a large public house
"Live music really doesn't cause a problem," Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Martin told the Morning Advertiser.
"Now we've had the forms in place for four years we have an idea of the kind of events we want to focus on."
He said around 70 venues have the use of Form 696 as a licence condition but Martin said: "We are not pushing to make it compulsory. We much prefer working voluntarily with premises.
A statement from UK Music said: "The Metropolitan Police review process for this risk assessment form has not been conducted in a fully transparent way, and we would like to make it clear that UK Music has not been part of this review.
"UK Music stands by our position in support of the recommendations of the Select Committee for Culture, Media and Sport. Form 696 should not be amended. It should be scrapped."
