Met Police Fail to Block Boys In A Taxi Rave in Hackney 2026

Key Points

• The Metropolitan Police failed in their legal attempt to stop a pop-up street rave in Hackney organised by the viral TikTok DJ duo Boys In A Taxi.
• The duo, comprising DJ Boyblue (Jason Richards) and MC Dean C, applied for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) to perform outside Hackney Wick Station on Saturday, November 14, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
• Hackney Police objected to the application, citing concerns over public safety, excessive noise, and an inability to control crowd numbers beyond the estimated 400 attendees in an unrestricted public space.
• During a licensing hearing on November 3, Jason Richards acknowledged holding fortnightly unpermitted events at the location previously, but explained they lacked the funds for private security and always concluded promptly at 10:00 PM.
• Hackney Councillors praised Richards for following official licensing procedures and backed the event after reviewing supportive testimonies from local residents and businesses.
• On Friday, November 6, the council officially rejected the police’s request for a counter notice, allowing the event to proceed.

Hackney (East London Times) November 12, 2026 – The Metropolitan Police have been unsuccessful in their bid to halt a pop-up rave from taking place in Hackney from the viral TikTok DJ duo Boys In A Taxi, following a licensing decision by Hackney Council.

Why did the Metropolitan Police try to stop the Boys In A Taxi pop-up rave?

As reported by the Hackney Citizen, the dispute began after Boys In A Taxi—comprising DJ Boyblue and MC Dean C—submitted a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) to Hackney Council. The application sought official permission to host a two-hour pop-up street event outside Hackney Wick Station between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM on Saturday, November 14.

Hackney Police formally objected to the proposed gathering and urged the local authority to issue a counter notice, a legal mechanism that would have prevented the event from taking place. Police officials argued that hosting an estimated crowd of 400 people in an unrestricted public area posed significant risks to public safety and could generate excessive noise levels.

During a formal licensing hearing held on November 3, Hackney Police PC Chris Stockman outlined the force’s concerns regarding crowd management. PC Chris Stockman stated that “attendance may exceed the figures now suggested by the applicant,” adding that in an “open public environment, there appears to be no practical mechanism to control numbers should attendance increase beyond expectations.”

How did DJ Boyblue respond to the police objections during the hearing?

Representing the duo at the November 3 hearing, DJ Boyblue—whose legal name is Jason Richards—addressed the police’s concerns directly and acknowledged the group’s past operations. Richards admitted to the panel that Boys In A Taxi had previously been hosting similar street events outside Hackney Wick Station on a fortnightly basis without notifying the council, explaining that the pair had not realised formal permission was legally required.

Richards also addressed the practical limitations of their independent setup, noting that financial constraints prevented them from hiring professional crowd-control infrastructure.

“If we were making a lot of money, we could afford a security team to come down and bring ropes and barriers,” Richards told the hearing.

To reassure the licensing panel regarding noise and public disruption, Richards emphasised the brief, transitional nature of their gatherings. He added that their previous events had concluded “dead on 10:PM” and functioned primarily as a “pre- kind of party” for attendees before they “went on a night out” at established local venues.

Why did Hackney Councillors reject the police request for a counter notice?

Despite the objections raised by PC Chris Stockman and the Metropolitan Police, the licensing panel responded favourably to Richards’ decision to engage with the formal regulatory process. Councillors praised Richards’ move to do things “the correct way” on this occasion by submitting a Temporary Event Notice.

Furthermore, the decision was bolstered by community backing. Richards presented the hearing with testimonies submitted by local residents and nearby businesses in Hackney Wick, all of whom expressed support for the pop-up event going ahead.

On Friday, November 6, Hackney Councillors officially denied the Metropolitan Police’s request for a counter notice, clearing the way for the Hackney Wick Station performance to proceed as scheduled on Saturday, November 14.

What is the background of the Boys In A Taxi viral phenomenon?

Boys In A Taxi, formed by DJ Boyblue (Jason Richards) and MC Dean C, have gained widespread recognition across London in recent weeks for their unconventional approach to street performances. The duo operate out of a repurposed traditional London black cab, transforming the vehicle into a mobile sound system from which they play UK garage (UKG) and dancehall anthems at impromptu locations across the capital.

Their rise to prominence has been heavily driven by social media, particularly TikTok. Video clips capturing their street raves—including viral footage in which the pair appear to be accosted by police officers during their impromptu sets—have drawn substantial online engagement and heightened public scrutiny. This rapid growth in online visibility directly preceded their decision to formalise their Hackney Wick gathering through a council Temporary Event Notice, marking a shift from unannounced street performances to regulated public events.

How could this licensing decision affect local artists, residents, and authorities?

The ruling by Hackney Council sets a notable precedent for independent street performers, grassroots DJs, and mobile sound systems operating within London. By approving the Temporary Event Notice despite police objections regarding open-space crowd control, the council has demonstrated a willingness to accommodate unconventional, low-budget musical events when organisers engage proactively with licensing frameworks and secure community support. This may encourage other viral or guerrilla-style performers to apply for formal permits rather than operating without authorisation.

For local residents and businesses in Hackney Wick, the decision affirms that community testimonies carry significant weight in local licensing hearings. Businesses surrounding Hackney Wick Station may experience increased footfall during the early evening hours as attendees gather for the 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM session before moving on to late-night venues. Conversely, for the Metropolitan Police and local licensing authorities, the outcome highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing public safety and crowd management protocols in open spaces against the cultural and community support for grassroots nightlife initiatives.