Arrested... for taking photographs

[Graham Kennedy]

A man has been arrested for taking photographs of his local town center. He was first stopped by some sort of police assistant and told that the police wanted to collect the names of everybody taking pictures under an anti-terrorism act. When told that he was not obliged to give the information and was not being detained, the man left.

He was subsequently stopped by a police officer who asked for his details again. She repeatedly refused to state whether he was being detained or not. She claimed he was obliged to provide her with the information she wanted, but would not or could not say under what authority. She claimed that he was taking photographs "sneakily" and "suspiciously". This was just before Christmas, various festivities were underway - a pipe band marching, people in fancy dress, christmas lights, etc. After about the sixth time that she declined to say he was being detained, the man walked away.

He was then stopped yet again and told he must surrender his details under section 2 of the violent crimes prevention act as his behaviour was "antisocial". He refused, and was arrested. He was subsequently released without charge.

Fortunately, the man happened to have a video camera on him and videoed the entire thing.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2010 ... otographer

I think the man was treated outrageously. Police stopping a man and demanding he provide personal details runs VERY counter to British culture. I think he should sue them to blazes.

Comments?

[Mikey]

Agreed. If no authority can be given for the officer's request - either statute or probable cause - he should be left alone. And an arrest made just so an officer can assert her authority his bullshit.

[sunnyside]

I had this happen to my brother in law for taking pics in the Underground. Though not being an attention whore filming himself he simply showed his ID and was fine.

It may seem a bit odd here in the states, but as I understand it London is the "surveillance capital of the world".

I can probably find something with a little googling.

"London has been the surveillance capital of the world for certainly the last 10 years," said Simon Davies, director of the British-based advocacy group Privacy International. "There is nothing like London anywhere in the world - nothing that even approximates London."

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/conte ... RTIES.html

I'm sure you can find mush more on the subject.

In any case this seems roughly in line with how things operate there. What's weird about this is how things are operating in a hazy grey zone where, as I understand it, people have the job of doing what they did, but they don't really have all the authority to do it so they have to sort of dance around things.

[Mikey]

If the officer has the authority by statute, fine. If not, STFU and leave the guy alone.

[Nutso]

Don't you guys just feel so safe knowing that a man can't take pictures? Take that terrorists!

[Mark]

I'd sue to high hell. A lesson needs to be taught. Yes, terrorists are a threat. But when they force us to start acting this way, its a victory for them.