ITN film crew is stopped by police whilst filming in central London’s financial district, the City. So much, so usual as far as “police stop innocent, legitimate use of cameras” stories go.
But in a touch of genius, it turns out that the ITN crew was filming a story … about someone who had three cars and a van of anti-terrorism police descend on him after taking photos of a church near a bank. I hope this circularity isn’t making you dizzy.
Oh, and he was wearing an “I’m a photographer not a terrorist” badge, just to add to the fun. Truly, we are honoured to have a police force capable of such self-satire.
It’s been a busy little while for police and photographers, what with the photographer who is complaining the police detained him after he took photos of some posters, not to mention the BBC photographer stopped under anti-terrorism legislation for taking a photo of a sunset or the man stopped by the police for taking photographs of Christmas decorations in a town centre.
If you see the sun setting over Christmas decorations near a bank on your high street all I can say is: RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! THIS IS CLEARLY A MAJOR TERRORIST THREAT.
At least the person who was arrested after taking a photo of the police looks to have won their complaint.
Perhaps we should have a national photograph your police station day in the new year…
Hat tip: Photo Legal for several of the above stories
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I like the idea of a national photograph your police station day – I’d be happy to go along and snap a few as part of it
Photo your police station day sounds like a good idea…
Shall we inform our respective Chief Constables first???
…but don’t wear a backpack, just incase!
I live just around the corner from a Police Station, would be happy to go photograph it
I love the news reports – they seem, for some reason, to go into as much detail about the camera involved as the incidents iteself…..
))
Great idea Mark.
National PaPS day should be February 14th – to reflect our love of liberty, or what’s left of it.
Quite. But why is Amateur Photographer’s campaign against the Pointless-harrassment-of-Photographers-by-Police-who-don’t -fancy-tackling-real-criminals being spearheaded by – wait for it – by Austin Mitchell. A Labour MP. Who supports the Government which forced thorugh the damn legislation in the first place! The only other quote is from a Tory. I hope the Lib Dem Photographers Association (surely an SAO by now?) will be on the case forthwith.
Thanks for the positive responses. Looks like this protest in January is the best route to take: http://p10.hostingprod.com/@spyblog.org.uk/blog/2009/12/12/mass-gathering-in-defence-of-street-photography—12-noon-saturday-23rd-january.html