Met Police Fail to Block Taxi Disco in Hackney Wick 2026

Key Points

• The Metropolitan Police failed in an official bid to stop a two-hour pop-up disco event hosted by DJ duo Boys in the Taxi outside Hackney Wick Overground station.
• Metropolitan Police officers raised formal objections against the event over concerns regarding public safety, potential overcrowding, and disorder.
• Police expressed specific anxiety that internet publicity could push crowd sizes beyond the applicant’s requested threshold.
• Event organiser Jason Richards (known professionally as DJ Boyblue) defended the application, clarifying that expected footfall would be around 100 to 120 people at any single time, rather than a massive static crowd.
• The organisers emphasised their track record of clean events without disorder, confirming they perform for free out of love for music and community engagement.
• Members of the Hackney Licensing Committee ruled in favour of the organisers, granting the Temporary Event Notice (TEN) to allow the performance to go ahead.

Hackney (East London Times) November 7, 2026 – A music duo celebrated for running mobile DJ events out of an iconic black cab have successfully defended their upcoming pop-up event against formal police opposition, securing permission to host a two-hour outdoor disco on the pavement directly outside Hackney Wick Overground station.

As reported by Local Democracy Reporter Josef Steen of MyLondon, Metropolitan Police officers submitted a formal objection to the local authority in an attempt to block the performance planned by the performance group known as Boys in the Taxi. The regulatory dispute centered around an application for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) submitted to Hackney Council by lead organiser Jason Richards, who performs under the stage name DJ Boyblue alongside co-performer Dean C.

The formal challenge reached its resolution during a meeting of the Hackney Licensing Committee on Friday, November 6, 2026, where local councillors evaluated safety arguments raised by law enforcement alongside evidence presented by the music creators.

What were the safety concerns raised by the Metropolitan Police?

The primary objection to the street disco stemmed from law enforcement anxieties regarding public safety and crowd control in a public transport thoroughfare.

As reported by Josef Steen of MyLondon, Metropolitan Police representative PC Stockman voiced specific concern that digital publicity could cause attendance to swell unpredictably, stating that

“Police are particularly concerned that, once published, attendance may exceed the figures now suggested.”

The initial Temporary Event Notice filed by Jason Richards requested approval for a maximum capacity limit of 400 people over the duration of the two-hour window. Metropolitan Police officers argued that hosting an gathering of that magnitude on a pedestrian pavement adjacent to an active railway station presented operational risks regarding pedestrian flow, public disorder, and general safety management.

How did the organisers defend their street entertainment plans?

Appearing before the council panel to address police objections, Jason Richards clarified the operational reality of their street performances and addressed the figures quoted in the application.

As reported by Josef Steen of MyLondon, Jason Richards told committee members that he was not planning for 400 people to assemble simultaneously in front of the vehicle. Instead, Jason Richards explained that static crowd numbers at any single point during the show would realistically reach “about 100 people, maybe 120.”

Defending the duo’s operational history and public safety track record, Jason Richards pointed out that a previous performance on September 19 had concluded “dead on 10pm” without incident when officers arrived on scene.

Addressing the committee regarding safety and crowd behaviour, Jason Richards stated:

“But that has never happened. We’ve never had any trouble whatsoever. Whoever’s turned up has turned up with good spirits.”

Highlighting the non-commercial nature of the initiative, Jason Richards added:

“We don’t make any money, we just do it for love. We enjoy doing what we do. You’re always going to get one or two complaints, no matter what you do. As far as safety is concerned, if there are any issues we’ll drop the music, turn it off and stop what we’re doing.”

Prior to the planned Hackney Wick event, Boys in the Taxi had established a reputation across Greater London by staging similar black-cab musical pop-ups in high-profile locations including Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, and wider parts of Hackney.

How did Hackney Council reach its licensing decision?

Following deliberations on the evidence submitted by both law enforcement officials and the event organisers, the Hackney Licensing Committee decided to reject the Metropolitan Police’s representations.

The committee ruled on Friday, November 6, 2026, that the Temporary Event Notice would be granted as requested, permitting the two-hour pavement performance to proceed outside Hackney Wick Overground station under the conditions specified in the application.

Background of street entertainment licensing in London

The dispute between the Metropolitan Police and local street artists highlights wider regulatory tensions surrounding public space usage and independent nightlife initiatives across Greater London.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, small-scale temporary events involving licensable activities—such as regulated entertainment or retail sales of alcohol—require a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) submitted to the relevant local licensing authority and police service at least ten working days prior to the event. Police forces and environmental health authorities hold statutory rights to object to a TEN if they believe the event will compromise licensing objectives, which include the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

In recent years, local councils across London have attempted to balance public safety and noise management against maintaining the capital’s cultural vibrancy. High-density transport hubs like Hackney Wick have seen rapid urban development alongside an expanding night-time economy, placing heightened scrutiny on public assembly, street busking, and unofficial gatherings near station entrances.

Prediction: How this licensing decision affects key stakeholders

The decision by the Hackney Licensing Committee to allow the Boys in the Taxi event to proceed despite police opposition carries distinct implications for several local groups:

1. Local Performers and Independent Artists

For grassroots musicians, DJs, and outdoor performers across London, this ruling sets an encouraging precedent regarding the viability of non-traditional, community-focused events. Independent creators can view the committee’s decision as confirmation that police objections regarding hypothetical crowd overflow do not automatically trigger a prohibition, provided organisers show a clean safety record and clear operational controls.

2. Metropolitan Police and Licensing Officers

The outcome may lead local police licensing teams to refine their criteria when challenging Temporary Event Notices. Moving forward, law enforcement officers may need to present specific, empirical evidence of disorder or structural safety hazards rather than relying predominantly on generalized concerns regarding social media promotion or potential over-attendance.

3. Hackney Wick Residents and Commuters

For local residents and commuters using Hackney Wick station, the decision ensures access to public space entertainment, though it may heighten local debate surrounding noise management and pavement congestion. While audience numbers are expected to remain manageable around 100 to 120 attendees, local residents sensitive to public disruption will likely keep close track of whether event organisers adhere to their commitment to cease playback immediately should safety or noise issues arise.