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Police "abuse" will stop gigs, says ex-Undertones frontman
Pippa Crerar, City Hall Editor17 Nov 2008
MUSICIANS are being put off live performances by the Metropolitan Police, ex-Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey has claimed.
The chief executive of UK Music warned that gigs in London could largely die out if the police continued to demand risk assessments, which he said scared off thousands of musicians with demands they give personal details to police.
Scotland Yard expects to process 10,000 forms this year with performers' information entered into the police national computer. R&B and garage musicians, who play to predominantly black audiences, claim they are singled out.
Mr Sharkey said the forms were an "abuse of police power" and he criticised councils for imposing them on venues. The Met said "music promotions" attracted people likely to use violence.
Reader views (5)
Welcome to the real world where a minority carry weapons and whose actions effect the majority.
- Mike, Herts, 17/11/2008 14:21
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Quote of the day: "O2 security review after music awards stabbing"
- Ben, London, W1, 17/11/2008 13:21
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Don't blame the police. It was the government who dreamt up these new license regulations in a misguided idea that it would help to cut down rowdy behaviour. It has had the effect of killing off live music in many pubs and small venues.
- Patrick Griffin, Dalston, London, 17/11/2008 13:20
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fergal doesn't state whether he considers it an abuse of gov't power getting the police to do risk assesments or whether the police are abusing the power given to them so they can stop gigs without fully estimating a real threat and just using it as an excuse, Look at the mobo awards ,yes they have had several incidents of gun and knife crime so the police on that basis for protection would look at what to do, the day Cliff Richard fans go tooled up I'm sure the Met will decide whether to have extra police on stand by.
- Jack, london, 17/11/2008 12:42
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Welcome to Beijing.
- Blackstone Coke, London, 17/11/2008 10:33
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