THE Mayor of London Boris Johnson says he will be backing buskers in Camden “like a bloodhound” in the face of council rules aimed at controlling street performance.

He was speaking at St Pancras International Station yesterday (Wednesday) as he vowed to “make the entire city busking central” with a new “Back Busking” campaign.

Of all the places to kick it off, he chose somewhere in Camden, where the  council has come under months of criticism – and a High Court challenge – for demanding buskers have licences and stop playing after 9pm.

The Mayor described Camden’s policy, which the council said it brought in to protect residents from disturbance, as a “mess”.

During his visit, Mr Johnson also met busking campaigner Jonny Walker, who was one of the campaigners behind the appeal.

When asked about Camden Council’s new laws to licence buskers, Mr Johnson said: “I am so on it. I am so on it, that I am on it like a bloodhound. Like a bloodhound is exactly how I would describe it. I say I am like a bloodhound with this, because I am right on top of it. I know what is going on here.”

His party opposed the new controls locally, as did, in the main, the Lib Dems. Their votes were outnumbered at the Town Hall by Labour councillors, however.

Mr Johnson added: “Busking is London, and it is so important to London. I have heard about what has been going on, and that is how I feel about it. I can’t put it any better than that. But I do think this has to be dealt with sensitively. I am aware of how the residents feel and the need to keep the power with the council. That is also important to me. We cannot take power from councils. 

“We need to talk through the solutions so we can sort this mess out. I am determined to sort this mess out. We do not want to shackle musicians with unnecessary bureaucracy, we should treasure the spontaneity they bring to our high streets.”

Munira Mirza, who is the Deputy Mayor for Education and Culture, said she would be meeting the council next month to discuss options. 

She continued: “I don’t want to pre-empt the discussion. But there are lots of ways to crack a nut. Licensing and regulation is not the only way, it’s not always necessary.”

Mr Johnson was launching the campaign along with West Hampstead band Kings Parade, and Jermain Jackman, who won BBC show The Voice this week. 

Sam Rooney, a member of Kings Parade, said: “Eighteen months ago we started busking in Camden Town. Not only did it help us pay the rent, it helped us get gigs, make important contacts, and pick up an online following. These new laws have had a huge impact on musicians, people have had to move out to Trafalgar Square because of the worry they’re going through in Camden.”

Camden’s community safety chief Councillor Abdul Hai said it was “surprising to see the Mayor take such an interest in busking and regulation”.

He added: “Street entertainment plays an important part of life in Camden. 

“However, we have to ensure that it positively contributes to the borough. There are public safety concerns where crowds can block narrow footpaths and where amplified noise, often late into the evening, can negatively impact on the lives of homeowners. By setting the fee for a licence at just £19 we believe that they are affordable. The number of applications we have received for a licence demonstrates that light touch regulation.”