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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Christy Cooney

Brixton O2 Academy will remain shut while police investigate crush

The Brixton O2 Academy.
The Brixton O2 Academy, south London, cordoned off by Met police after a crush outside the venue. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

Brixton O2 Academy is to remain shut for a further three months after a crush that left two people dead.

A gig at the London venue by the Afrobeats singer Asake on 15 December was cut short after overcrowding in the foyer caused a surge.

Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, and Gaby Hutchinson, 23, were both fatally injured.

The venue has been closed since the incident, and owner Academy Music Group (AMG) has said it will stay shut while police carry out an investigation.

The venue’s licence was previously suspended pending a meeting of Lambeth council’s licensing subcommittee due to take place on Monday.

The Met said it planned to use the meeting to seek a further suspension of the licence.

“This is to allow time to work with the venue to facilitate a safe reopening and to ensure appropriate safeguards, aimed at improving public safety, are in place,” it said.

In a statement, AMG said it had “reflected deeply” on the incident and would remain closed regardless of whether its licence remains suspended.

“O2 Academy Brixton recognises the gravity of the events which occurred on the night of 15 December 2022 and expresses its sincere condolences to the families of those who died during the tragic incident and its genuine concerns for anyone affected by it,” it said.

“The licence holder, Academy Music Group (AMG), is committed to understanding what happened and cooperating with the various investigations that are under way, including providing full cooperation to the police in the conduct of their inquiries.”

It added that it would work with the relevant authorities on a “review of the licence conditions and proposed amendments”.

Early reports suggested the crush had been caused by large numbers of fans trying to gain access to the concert without tickets, although witnesses have questioned that account.

The suspension of the Academy’s licence came after the Met asked Lambeth council to undertake a fast-track review in the days after the incident.

Applying for the review, the force said, arriving at the venue, its officers found security staff had “completely lost control of the situation”.

It also said there had been a similar crush in 2020 during a concert by Naira Marley, another Afrobeats singer, after which concerns were raised about the strength of the venue’s front doors.

As part of its investigation, specialist officers are reviewing CCTV and phone footage, speaking to witnesses, carrying out forensic examinations, and reviewing evidence submitted online by members of the public.

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