An event to celebrate Jamaican Independence Day for up to 100 people in the back garden of a North London home has been given the go-ahead, despite police concerns about the potential for “gang violence and antisocial behaviour”.
Event details and conditions
Tammy Mpitu applied to host the event at a residential property on Marian Way in Willesden to celebrate the 64th anniversary of Jamaica's independence from the United Kingdom on August 6, 1962. The original application intended for the party to go on until 4am, but Ms Mpitu agreed to reduce the hours during a review by Brent Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee.
Initially, the plan was to host the BBQ, which included alcohol sales and late-night entertainment, at the private home in Willesden between 8pm and 4am this coming weekend (August 7 and 8). However, Ms Mpitu offered to cut the hours to between 2pm and 12am, with alcohol sold only during a three-hour window between 8pm and 11pm.
Police objections
Police raised concerns that the area was known for “gang violence and drug dealing”. The last-minute changes were proposed to secure approval from the committee after the Metropolitan Police raised a number of objections to the application for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN). Sgt Michael Sullivan cited a number of concerns, including the fact that the ticketed event was being advertised on social media; it was to be held in a residential property; and the area was known for “gang violence and drug dealing”.
Addressing the committee, Sgt Sullivan said: “This is not being presented as a private gathering of family and friends, the event is actively being advertised on social media with tickets being sold for £10. As a result, the attendance is open to the wider public and likely to attract individuals unknown to the organiser.
“The use of social media and ticket sales creates the risk that attendance could exceed expectations, making effective management more difficult - if not impossible. The premises is located within a residential estate and that estate experiences on-going issues with serious violence, gang activity, drug dealing and antisocial behaviour.
He added: “The combination of alcohol sales, entertainment, and operations until 4am present a significant risk of crime, disorder, and nuisance in the environment. Police are also concerned about the suitability of the venue - this is a residential property and the proposed area that is going to be used is the rear garden, which is not a purpose built licensed venue. There is no evidence of infrastructure or controls normally expected for an event of this scale.”
Organiser's response
Ms Mpitu told the committee that the event was originally scheduled for 8pm as most of her friends would be attending after work on Friday, but she agreed to the time change after speaking to council officers, which she said makes her “feel more secure”. She also stated that tickets were being sold online so as not to “attract any unnecessary problems” at the door.
Ms Mpitu said: “I don’t mind changing the time because it’s for a good cause, the application is really to support my family in Jamaica. [...] I was trying to think of ways to support them.
In response to concerns about the event being hosted at a residential property, Ms Mpitu said: “I would rather have a venue, but I can’t afford it, to be honest. [...] We have cameras around the house, I’ve got two proper security guards that will be there and [attendees] will be searched.”
Committee decision
The committee ultimately decided to grant the licence, provided the event adhered to the modified time window between 2pm and midnight, kept to the three-hour alcohol sales window, and employed two SIA-accredited security personnel.
The decision stated: “The temporary event may proceed in accordance with the TEN as modified by the applicant. [...] The sub-committee was satisfied that the earlier end time, the limited alcohol sale period, and the presence of two SIA licensed officers sufficiently reduced the identified risk.”
