00:00The Metropolitan Police is defending the use of drill lyrics and videos as evidence in criminal trials.
00:06A report found rap music was used in cases involving 252 defendants between 2020 and 2023, including murder charges.
00:16Police say some material can reveal information about violence, while accepting it should not be overused or demonise a genre.
00:24Campaign group Art Not Evidence is calling for stronger safeguards, arguing lyrics can be misinterpreted and create unfair prejudice.
00:34The group wants creative expression admitted only when relevant, reliable and not unduly prejudicial.
00:40Courts continue to consider how this evidence is assessed.
