UK police authorities banned a club in south London from playing reggae, an investigation by a local newspaper has revealed.The Croydon Advertiser obtained an audio recording of police sergeant Michael Emery questioning Roy Seda, the owner of Dice Bar in Croydon, about why bashment—a term for West Indian parties that play reggae and dancehall—is still being played in his club.As reported by Noisey, Dice Bar has recently been involved in an ongoing license dispute, in which Seda accused the police of racial profiling. Seda alleged that police have gone to extraordinary lengths to ban the club from playing bashment, apparently describing the music as unacceptable and linking it to crime and disorder. Until now the police denied this, instead accusing Seda himself of suggesting and imposing the ban.However, thanks to the investigative work by the Croydon Advertiser's Gareth Davies, an audio clip has now emerged in which Sgt Emery is heard to reiterate this policy. You can hear the clip here and read a transcript below.Sgt Emery: You were told about this before Christmas. Why has it taken until now to decide now that you want to change the music?
Mr Seda: We weren't told to the change the music.
Sgt Emery: You were advised that because I was there and spoke to you about it and Darren [Rhodes, licensing officer] spoke to you about it.
Mr Seda: Darren said don't put bashment so we stopped that, we stopped the bashment.
Sgt Emery: Right.
Mrs Seda: The rest we've just been softening.
Sgt Emery: But you've been playing drum and bass, haven't you?
Mrs Seda: No, we don't play drum and bass.
Sgt Emery: Right, okay.Not only does Sgt Emery question why the bashment is still being played, but he includes drum & bass in his enquiry as an unacceptable form of music. There was earlier indications that the police were attempting to enforce a ban—most notably in minutes written by a police officer which referenced how the Dice Bar had agreed "not to play bashman or John Paul", (presumably Bashment or Sean Paul)—but this recording is perhaps the most incriminating evidence yet.The Metropolitan Police, London's law enforcement agency, can't enforce a ban on types of music without the approval of the licensing board—something they didn't seek. With this in mind, it's appears that the arguably racially-motivated restrictions were imposed through underhand tactics and intimidation.Follow Angus on Twitter.
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Mr Seda: We weren't told to the change the music.
Sgt Emery: You were advised that because I was there and spoke to you about it and Darren [Rhodes, licensing officer] spoke to you about it.
Mr Seda: Darren said don't put bashment so we stopped that, we stopped the bashment.
Sgt Emery: Right.
Mrs Seda: The rest we've just been softening.
Sgt Emery: But you've been playing drum and bass, haven't you?
Mrs Seda: No, we don't play drum and bass.
Sgt Emery: Right, okay.Not only does Sgt Emery question why the bashment is still being played, but he includes drum & bass in his enquiry as an unacceptable form of music. There was earlier indications that the police were attempting to enforce a ban—most notably in minutes written by a police officer which referenced how the Dice Bar had agreed "not to play bashman or John Paul", (presumably Bashment or Sean Paul)—but this recording is perhaps the most incriminating evidence yet.The Metropolitan Police, London's law enforcement agency, can't enforce a ban on types of music without the approval of the licensing board—something they didn't seek. With this in mind, it's appears that the arguably racially-motivated restrictions were imposed through underhand tactics and intimidation.Follow Angus on Twitter.