People in support of Vancouver's safe injection site gathered Thursday for a barbecue and free street concert, which was stopped before it could begin. (CBC)

Vancouver police helped city officials stop a free street concert Thursday night before it could begin in the Downtown Eastside.

More than 100 officers descended on the 100 block of E. Hastings Street, where hundreds of people had gathered to attend a barbeque and watch a concert by the Canadian band Bedouin Soundclash, in support of Insite, the city's safe injection site.

Police said the structures and tents set up for the concert were taken down because the organizer, the PHS Community Services Society, which operates Insite, didn't have a permit for the event.

More than 100 police officers helped city officials shut down a concert Thursday night in the 100 block of E. Hastings Street. (CBC)

"The city had declined a permit that was requested by the group," Const. Jana McGuinness said Thursday night.

"The city is concerned that pedestrians or motorists may be unduly put at risk by the event."

Mark Townsend, a PHS spokesman, said people should have the right to organize street festivities to support the safe injection site.

"It's a demonstration. It's what we are allowed to do. We're allowed to put up tents, and it's all organized," Townsend said.

McGuinness said police had offered to close off a section of Columbia Street to be used as the venue for the concert, but the offer was declined.

The heavy police presence was a precautionary measure, and there was no violence or any arrests when officers moved in to assist city officials in taking down the structures, she said.

"These structures were put up as part of an event that was anticipated by a crowd that was gathered there," McGuinness said.

"As the city moved in to take down the structures, our officers just assisted in keeping the lid on things."

The three-member, Juno-award winning Bedouin Soundclash did show up at the site, but the concert was shut down before they could perform.

The band was also scheduled to give another performance at the Commodore Ballroom on Granville Street Thursday night.