Gangsta Rap under scrutiny at Reading venues
Reading Pubwatch is not about to enforce a ban on Gangsta Rap music, despite media reports to the contrary.
Venues in Reading have come under close scrutiny following a 20-person brawl on New Year's Eve outside Cafe Du Sport where one man was glassed and left with serious injuries.
Reports had suggested that police and the Pubwatch were considering a ban on Gangsta Rap and R'n'B music over fears it incited violence.
However, Reading Pubwatch chairman Bill Donne said that it had all been blown out of proportion.
"The venue concerned was playing light commercial R'n'B music and I don't think listening to Justin Timberlake is going to cause things to kick-off," he said.
"It was just one of those incidents which is more likely to happen at a time like New Year's Eve because it is not just your usual trade that is attracted to the venue."
Police are meeting with the owners of Cafe Du Sport and the Pubwatch this week.
Donne added: "The police have expressed concern over certain events but there is no intention for an outright ban. But they retain the option to ask venues to pull certain events if they feel they could lead to trouble.
"What we would say is that when you have an event, you need to make sure that you carry out a proper risk assessment and look closely at things like having the right number of door staff, increasing the number of customer searches and making sure the CCTV is working."
