Racial bias found in London music licensing and policing

Black-led music events in London are subjected to disproportionate restrictions and cancellations because of racial bias within licensing and policing practices, a new report has found. The Race Equality in Music Event Licensing (REMEL) report, commissioned by the Greater London Authority, concluded that Black-led events were blocked at higher rates than those led by white individuals. South Asian-led events also encountered restrictions, although the report noted that South Asian music was largely absent from licensing records, making comprehensive analysis difficult.

Genres flagged as 'high risk'

The report identified that musical genres such as Afrobeats, hip-hop, drill, R&B, and dancehall are routinely flagged as 'high risk' during the licensing process. In contrast, nights featuring indie, pop, and rock music faced less scrutiny. Researchers indicated that licensing decisions for live music events were influenced by risk assessments that incorporated racialised assumptions about culture and safety. This process, the report stated, reproduces institutional racism through routine procedures rather than explicit bans.

Methodology and findings

The research, conducted by Black Lives in Music, involved interviews, focus groups, workshops, a survey, and internet research. Freedom of Information requests were also submitted, but many were rejected or only partially answered, hindering the measurement of certain patterns. Event organisers and venue owners reported that police intelligence, sometimes unverified, was regularly used to justify heightened scrutiny of Black and South Asian events. This practice, the report argued, acts as a hidden form of economic exclusion, making events logistically or financially unviable and leading to financial losses and denial of cultural participation.

Dr. Hakeem Stevens, a co-author of the report, noted that issues related to race in licensing decisions dated back to the early 20th century, with the legacy of the Metropolitan Police's Form 696, a risk assessment scrapped in 2017 and previously labelled 'racist', also discussed.

Recommendations for reform

The report puts forward 19 recommendations aimed at reforming the licensing system. These include calls for a review of the current system, the establishment of transparent evidence standards, and the mandatory inclusion of cultural impact assessments for significant licensing decisions. The report advocates for a licensing system founded on fairness, transparency, and equality, asserting that safety should not be used as a pretext for racial bias or disproportionate restriction.

Charisse Beaumont, chief executive of Black Lives in Music, stated that entrepreneurs and artists at the start of their careers in London are being 'oppressed and suppressed due to the licensing system' and its inherent disparities. Kwame Otiende, owner of The Jago venue in Dalston and chairman of Hackney Council's Licensing Committee, commented that the report 'evidences what we have always known. Inequality has always existed, especially within the night-time economy.'

Official response

Metropolitan Police commander Neerav Patel acknowledged the 'concerns and differing views' on the matter. He stated that the force's focus remains on making fair, evidence-based contributions to the licensing process that balance the interests of venues, promoters, artists, and local communities, while prioritising public safety. The police will 'carefully consider the report's findings'.

Organisations including the Musicians' Union, UK Music, the Music Venue Trust, the Night Time Industries Association, and LIVE trust have welcomed the report and its recommendations.