BBC staff were ‘shocked and upset’ after rapper Krept’s stabbing at 1Xtra gig
BBC staff were left ‘shocked and upset’ after rapper Krept was ‘slashed’ at a packed 1Xtra Live gig, newly released logs show.
The broadcaster’s response after The Rap Game presenter was stabbed backstage at the former Arena Birmingham has been revealed in a timeline of the aborted concert.
The BBC first tried to continue with the gig after more than 9,500 people had poured into the venue to see some of the top stars of the grime and urban music scene.
A shut-down was then ordered at 10.01pm as ‘security had lost our confidence’ while Krept was being treated by a paramedic for a stab wound to the thigh, the reports show.
The musician, real name Casyo Johnson, later said the attack, blamed on a notorious Birmingham gang, could have been fatal if the knife had been ‘a millimetre deeper’.
Aitch, French Montana and AJ Tracey were among the other performers on the bill at the 1Xtra event, where artists were told to remain in their dressing rooms in the aftermath of the vicious attack.
Queue jumping and other crowd control issues are also revealed in the heavily redacted show notes disclosed after a Freedom of Information Act request by Metro.co.uk.
The problems emerged after 9,524 people arrived at the venue by 8.20pm for the gig on October 5, 2019.
One of the bullet points reads: ‘Several members of staff were involved and are very upset and shocked, need to take care to ensure they are ok and receive support.’
Details of the incident, which led the BBC to strengthen its security procedures, have been released after requests by Metro.co.uk and a challenge through the Information Commissioner’s Office.
An update reads: ‘Not a great experience for the guests getting to the box office. People trying to jump the queue at the standing entrance.
‘Queues have now been separated and tried to funnel to the right queue seated/standing.’
The alarm is first raised in an entry at 9:43pm, which reads: ‘1 male stabbed in the thigh — KREPT (FROM KREPT & KONAN).’
Another update in the BBC log reads: ‘Not going to do a show stop. Is there a threat to staff and artists back stage — NO, doors on both sides are relatively sterile now with security.’
The decision is then made by a person whose name has been redacted to call the ‘show stop’ at 10.01pm.
The reason given is because ‘security had lost our confidence at this point’.
An emergency incident management team meeting then refers to a ‘rumour on social media about a stabbing backstage’, with ‘BBC staff currently monitoring social media’.
Under the heading WHAT WE BELIEVE HAPPENED, a bulletpoint reads: ‘Krept in welfare/medical being seen to — stab wound to the thigh.’
Artists were told to stay in their dressing rooms ‘until they hear otherwise’ while producers and presenters were gathered in the broadcast room.
At 11.30pm, a heavily redacted update states that ‘the person who has been stabbed is getting medical attention’ and ‘paramedics have used stitches’.
After the venue had been cleared, another report shortly after midnight confirms that ‘Krept from rap duo Krept and Konan was slashed in the leg’. He did not go to hospital.
As West Midlands Police begin to investigate, the management team turn their attention to BBC staff.
An update reads: ‘Several members of staff were involved and are very upset and shocked, need to take care to ensure they are ok and receive support…
‘No other staff or talent were injured in the incident but some staff who were close to the incident are upset and shaken.
‘They have been spoken to by management to reiterate that support is available for anybody who would like it.
‘Live events team have been asked to note down some bullet points of their recollection of the incident/their areas.
‘This will be extended to other staff working at the event.’
The BBC refused to disclose another document about the incident in response to an earlier request by Metro.co.uk but has since released the files after a challenge through the information watchdog.
Krept, one half of duo Krept & Konan, was reportedly slashed and robbed in a VIP area by members of Birmingham gang the Johnson Crew.
At the time, questions were asked as to how the assailant could have got the blade into the venue through security scanners and bag searches.
Krept later told the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show that ‘I got a report back saying if [the blade] was a millimetre deeper, it could have been fatal’.
He also expressed his determination to press on with his career and has maintained a high profile which has included co-presenting BBC talent show The Rap Game, where up-and-coming rappers compete for a cash prize and mentorship.
The 32-year-old’s achievements also include top 10 albums and singles and, along with Konan, being awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 for their contribution to the community in Croydon, south London. He has previously spoken about losing friends to gang feuds, with others ending up in jail, as he grew up on council estates in Gipsy Hill and Thornton Heath.
A spokesperson for the venue, renamed the Utilita Arena, said: ‘The security and safety of all who visit the venue is always our top priority and we have extremely robust security measures in place.
‘We strongly refute any claims that suggest otherwise.
‘West Midlands Police investigated the incident that took place on October 5, 2019 and concluded that they were satisfied with our handling of the incident and the additional proactive steps we have taken since.
‘No further comment will be provided regarding the incident.
‘Working together with local and national authorities, our venue has a multi-layered approach to security to protect visitors and staff.
‘We have invested heavily in our security infrastructure to ensure that we provide a safe and secure environment.’
The BBC referred to a ‘full review’ commissioned after the incident.
A spokesperson said: ‘All the recommendations from this review have been implemented, further strengthening the security of our events with the health and safety of our audience, staff, artists and guests being our top priority.’
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: ‘We carried out enquiries after a man suffered a slash wound although the injured party did not want to make a formal complaint. Due to a lack of evidence we have been unable to identify who was responsible.
‘Officers will assess any fresh information we receive.’
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