Sharkey calls for probe into storage of bands' data

THE Information Commissioner was today urged to investigate why the Met police is collecting personal data from musicians.

Former Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey, chief executive of UK Music, has written to Richard Thomas amid fears that live gigs could die out as a result.

He claims that thousands of musicians have been scared off by councils - more than 20 in London - forcing them to fill out risk assessment forms at the request of the police.

Scotland Yard expects to process 10,000 forms this year with the performers' information, including address and date of birth, entered into the police national computer.

Mr Sharkey demanded to know whether the artists' details were held separately, who was responsible for the data, who had access to it and how long it was stored for.

"The collection of this personal data by the Metropolitan Police in advance of a musical performance is not light touch... we believe the use of the risk assessment form is disproportionate, unacceptable and damaging to live music in the UK," he said.

Mr Sharkey has also written to acting Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, Mayor Boris Johnson and Equalities chief Trevor Phillips demanding answers.