Something very sinister

Babybear posts to FDB about something disturbing:

"The police in most (if not all) London boroughs have put together a form to be filled in by licencees thinking of promoting a live event. Various details must be filled in to allow the police to get a handle on what type of event it is and what type of crowd it will attract. All very Big Brother .... are they then going to decide whether a concert should take place based on their criteria ..... Take a moment to look at the form and some of the questions asked ....

Details must be given of ....

Music style to be played / performed (e.g. Bashment, R’n’B, Garage) How hip of the cops ....

Is there a particular ethnic group attending? If ‘Yes’, please state group: That one's a doozy ....

Please list below ALL ARTISTES, THE ACTS / SOUND SYSTEMS / OTHER PROMOTERS performing. (DJs. MCs, etc. – show full name and aliases, address, date of birth, contact numbers.) Please use a separate sheet if necessary.

Fuck me that's a good 'un .... Is it just me or can anyone else see a distinct pattern here .... A lot of these questions seem directed specifically at events which the police I imagine would seem to appeal to a black audience. Some more good news is that if it's a 'success' in London the licensing officer down YOUR local nick may decide to do it too. Here's the form in all it's glory. www.met.police.uk/events/forms/form_696.pdf There's a facebook group just ben started in protest. May I suggest joining and showing support against this ridiculous piece of (at best) bureaucracy. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42439007135 When I was a wee promoter in a Camden Town dive I wouldn't for the life of me have imagined something so ridiculous. Very often you'd be booking bands last minute if one couldn't make it. Mixing genres live and dj'ing. This is flawed, unworkable and worse still, it has a distinct hint of the authorities wishing to be made aware specifically of events which would attract black music fans or fans of MOBO. Here's another article which you may find interesting, http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/how-form-696-could-pull-the-plug-on-the-capitals-music-scene-1028240.html Distinctly worrying stuff which should be fought by all right minded music fans. Rant over. bb."

I guess things like this are happening too often around Europe right now. Something should be done.