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Buskers stage protest against Oxford City Council fine and prosecution plans | |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Buskers in Oxford have staged a musical protest against proposals they say will "criminalise" the activity. | Buskers in Oxford have staged a musical protest against proposals they say will "criminalise" the activity. |
Plans drawn up by the city council would allow it to issue fines or prosecute those who fail to comply with its code of conduct for street performers. | Plans drawn up by the city council would allow it to issue fines or prosecute those who fail to comply with its code of conduct for street performers. |
Musicians at a demonstration on Thursday said the proposals were too strict. | Musicians at a demonstration on Thursday said the proposals were too strict. |
The council has said it "encourages" busking in the city centre. | The council has said it "encourages" busking in the city centre. |
Performers currently require a free licence to perform in Oxford, and agree to abide by guidelines first drawn up about a decade ago. | Performers currently require a free licence to perform in Oxford, and agree to abide by guidelines first drawn up about a decade ago. |
The rules, which state music should not be audible from more than 50m (164 ft) away, are not legally enforceable, the council said. | The rules, which state music should not be audible from more than 50m (164 ft) away, are not legally enforceable, the council said. |
However, if the authority obtains an order under anti-social behaviour legislation introduced last year, fines of £100 could be issued to those deemed to be breaking the code. | However, if the authority obtains an order under anti-social behaviour legislation introduced last year, fines of £100 could be issued to those deemed to be breaking the code. |
If a case is taken to court the penalty could rise to £1,000. | If a case is taken to court the penalty could rise to £1,000. |
Busking in Oxford: Dos and don'ts | Busking in Oxford: Dos and don'ts |
Do | Do |
Don't | Don't |
Source: Oxford.gov.uk | Source: Oxford.gov.uk |
Jonny Walker started a petition against the proposals which states the plans could make "street music, art and performance in Oxford a potential criminal offence and subject to strict, arbitrary controls." | Jonny Walker started a petition against the proposals which states the plans could make "street music, art and performance in Oxford a potential criminal offence and subject to strict, arbitrary controls." |
He said the plans could do "immense cultural damage" to Oxford and its reputation. | He said the plans could do "immense cultural damage" to Oxford and its reputation. |
"It is not good for streets that are vibrant and open to the arts so we are asking them to come up with a new code of conduct," he added. | "It is not good for streets that are vibrant and open to the arts so we are asking them to come up with a new code of conduct," he added. |
Council leader Bob Price said the code has been reviewed and "compares well" with those in other English cities. | Council leader Bob Price said the code has been reviewed and "compares well" with those in other English cities. |
Applications for public spaces protection orders are submitted under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, which enables local authorities to outlaw certain activities. | Applications for public spaces protection orders are submitted under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, which enables local authorities to outlaw certain activities. |
Critics say the legislation risks creating a "patchwork" of laws, with variations in "acceptable behaviour" from town to town. | Critics say the legislation risks creating a "patchwork" of laws, with variations in "acceptable behaviour" from town to town. |
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