Policing the Beats: The Criminalisation of Black Musical Subcultures by the London Metropolitan Police

• In Event: Race and Perceptions of Race: Implications for Crime and Victimization

Abstract

This paper sets out to (re-)introduce Black urban musical subcultures as valuable forms of creativity and public expression in an attempt to resist, criticise, and expose their criminalisation by the Criminal Justice System in the UK. Focusing primarily on Black musical subcultures such as ‘Grime’, a host of unfair and illegitimate practices adopted by the London Metropolitan Police will be exposed. This will demonstrate how routine monitoring, surveillance, and curtailment of Black people’s public identity (re)produces stereotypical associations of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups with violent, criminal, and problematic behaviour. In order to challenge openly discriminatory attitudes towards Black urban cultural forms by the police, prosecutors and juries, a counter-argument which calls for their understanding as viable sources of positive, and constructive public engagement will be offered. Theoretical and policy recommendations will also be discussed.

Author

• Lambros Fatsis, University of Southampton