London’s Metropolitan police have just announced that Form 696 is going to be scrapped. The form was introduced in 2005 due to the link of night time economy and violence, reports Nicola Coaker

The assessment Form 696 has an aim ‘to identify and minimise any risk of most serious violent crime happening’.  The police do this by identifying dangerous events, protecting the public and public spaces. When the form was first introduced, the police would have to identify the performers ethnicity and style of music.

The risk assessment form has been highly criticised over the years as it has seemed to target certain genre’s of music and artists. Sadiq Khan called for a review of the form as he felt that the thriving night-time economy needs to work for everyone.

The mayor, Sadiq Khan also felt that the form held high discrimination against specific communities and music genres including UK rap and grime. Artists such as J Hus and Kojo Funds were banned from performing in or around London.

Throughout the twelve years of the form being in place, the police have caused much inconvenience for certain artists. On many instances, sold out music events have been cancelled two days before the event was due to take place, while some have been stopped midway through the show.

The original reason for the risk assessment form was the rise in night-time shootings and stabbings. The form could be put in place against any music artist, certain events and nightclubs. Due to the decrease in fatalities, and the increased awareness of health and safety in venues, the form has been scrapped.