A Revolution is the Solution
My husband used to regularly go out and about in London City to photograph buses, for his website, londonbusphotos.co.uk
He and others like him, were stopped countless times, asked what they were doing, why were they photographing buses etc. Every time, he had to scroll through his digital camera images and show the police, he came home with tickets saying he had been 'stopped and searched' under the anti terrorism act. He was lucky, he knows of others who had their cameras and equipment confiscated!
He even took to taking his passport out with him alongside proof of his website and his legitimate business photographing buses and architecture (we put stock photos onto websites and such places as sxc.hu)
There was a large commotion about this in his forum groups with the other bus enthusiasts but, ultimately, he has stopped doing this as the 'hassle' and suspicion became too much.
As the law stands you CAN take pictures open PUBLIC land, it is only in private areas you need permission, and he used to need this sometimes when in bus garages etc. You also cannot use photos with people (recognisable) without those concerned giving 'model permission', ie they sign to say 'it's ok', a model release form, before using it on a stock photo oplace.
I understand the threat of terrorism and the fact that someone taking pictures of buses with a backpack on his back can look 'odd', but please, we need to stop seeing EVERYONE as a threat and if they CAN explain why you look suspicious and why they are concerned, then fair enough. Just saying 'no you can't' is unacceptable.
The law needs to made much clearer, and more easy to enforce in future, with the Police knowing absolutely what they can and can't do.
This is a link to the UK Photographers Rights:
http://www.sirimo.co.uk/ukpr.php
ouch.
I've seen lots of examples of photographers being hassled in the States, but wasn't aware it happened to this degree over here too.
What's really amazing about that clip is that the guy was being mauled by COMMUNITY SUPPORT officers. Now, they were obviously hassling him with a view to him being an "evil terrorist" or whatever, or that's how it seemed to come across. but a community support officer can only do that when accompanied by an actual police constable.
So what does that leave them with? They can detain a person for up to 30 minutes to establish their identity if they have committed a relevant offence. Again, with no offence committed (never mind not being able to say exactly WHY they were pulling him up in the first place, save for a vague "oh you look suspicious" which is utterly meaningless) they didn't have a leg to stand on.
He should have hit the guy in the face with the camera, then hurled the other dude down the subway stairs.
At least they'd have something legitimate to complain about then.
PCSO
What does it stand for?
Please Come Soon Officer
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They realoy need to get these PCSOs updated on the thing they are supposed to be assisting to uphold, you know, that funny thing called the Law of The Country!
@Paperghost
While viewing some of your past post of your visits to the States and seeing some of the Pictures you took, I wondered how long it would be before you were stopped and questioned. I guess you blend in so well they didn't even see you in NYC.
Did you ever get your undies back? lol
Never got the undies back, but I've never once been hassled by anybody for taking photographs. I think its the DANGER: BAD ASS MOFO AT WORK sign I carry around with me that does it.
Possibly.
Or the drool. Actually, its probably the drool.
LOL.
Evidence of why PSCOs are called C.H.I.M.P.S - Cant Help In Most Police Situations
Seriously, what is their purpose?
What's wrong with the UK? That is crazy. Authorities have the right to put cameras everywhere and yet the regular tourist can have his camera confiscated?????
You know, if you want to plan something, you can use Google earth, or Google Streets view (in the US) and you've got everything you need.
Actually, I remember back in my own country, France, I was taking some pictures downtown, and a fast food shop owner came to me so pissed off and wanted to take my camera. Was he worried I was going to sell his sandwich crap recipe???
LOL.
Ok, so I decide to do the tourist thing and visit say, London. Naturally I bring along my camera, because I want to get pics of Buck Palace, you know, places of interest etc. Does that mean I'm going to get cautioned and told to
be a good girl and put my camera away?
Security is one thing, but if they really want to drive tourists away, that is one thing that is going to do it.
Well isnt this the police state in action the sherr arrogance of these to twerps beggers belief it really does and as to the one doing all the talking and telling people to Shut up that someone get him a map of the world and show him that he's in London and not Beijing :-(
Commenting by HaloScan
