Promoters of a Lloyd Banks gig in Derby have said they believe police acted "excessively" when they closed down the venue due to host the gig citing "security concerns". Police closed down the T5 Club in the city on Saturday, saying that a proper risk assessment had not been done ahead of the G-Unit-er's appearance and that they had real concerns about possible disorder at the event.
A Chief Inspector Gary Parkin was quoted in the media thus: "Unfortunately there have been a number of firearms-related incidents at similar events connected with this music genre in the East and West Midlands, London and Manchester. We accept the majority of people who attend are just there to enjoy themselves and sadly it is a small minority who cause significant problems. We have to balance this up against the security of all people visiting Derby's pubs and clubs and we have a duty to ensure they feel safe".
While accepting that public safety is paramount, promoters of the show say they felt the police's actions had been "excessive", especially in closing down the venue, as they claim they had offered to cancel the show once concerns had been raised. On those concerns, the promoters also added that they felt police had failed to properly investigate the logistical plans behind the event, telling reporters: "The police should have gone round the venue and seen it, seen what security measures there are for the concert but they didn't do it".
Another promoter involved questioned the logic of linking trouble at urban music events elsewhere in the country to their Lloyd Banks gig, saying: "There's been no previous trouble at any of his [Lloyd Banks] concerts that he's done in the past. We have some information on previous concerts he has done and there have been no issues that could have been brought up".