Despite being repeatedly asked by individuals and organisations (Musicians Union, Live Music Forum and others) over the past 5 years, neither the police nor the government have produced any evidence suggesting that live music results in significant crime and disorder.

Occasionally there is trouble at some gigs. But the police don't need Form 696 or the Licensing Act 2003 to prevent it. They have powers under separate legislation to intervene if they believe there is likely to be a breach of the peace at a venue.

It would be helpful to know how Form 696 is actually being implemented. But a more relevant question might be:

Why don't the Met and London Councils ask bars with big screens to provide the names, addresses and dates of birth of all punters who come to watch football?

In 2003, the police wrote to Tessa Jowell, then Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, recommending that televised sport in bars should be made a licensable entertainment because 'it attracts large crowds and quite frequently leads to disorder'.

The government rejected that recommendation.