Police "abuse" will stop gigs, says ex-Undertones frontman

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.