As I have mentioned in previous posts, this country continues to move towards a much more authoritarian society. One aspect of this is with what you can photograph or not, which seems to suffer from a very wide interpretation of the rules by the authorities.
Although I understand the need for vigilance in this current climate, certain members of the security services seem to go out of their way to antagonise member of the public with their own ‘brand’ of policing.
The most recent case of this was reported yesterday in the Guardian yesterday when an Italian Art student filming for her art project after discussions with a seemingly stereo-typical power attitude PCSO was finally arrested by six real policemen and thrown in a police cell! It appears she also cycled down a one way street the wrong way!
Granted, she did not help her case by not being able to prove her ID or her photographic aims, but it appears that there seemed to a lack of common sense by the PCSO’s and Police in another example of their heavy handedness towards members of the public about photography.
Of course with the Met releasing their latest video of a successful surveillance operation when tracking of a terrorist cell carrying out a reconnaissance of potential targets, it seems that we will still be subject to local interpretation of photography in public places.
However, it was interesting that also yesterday John Yates, the Metropolitan police assistant commissioner reissued instructions to London district Police Commanders about members of the public taking photograph.
Restating that whilst there were no laws to stop people photographing buildings and also confirmed that there was no legal ban on photographing police officers, it was important that a “commonsense” approach by police officers.
Some background articles relating to this post:
- Is it a crime to take pictures?
- Innocent photographer or terrorist?
- AP’s campaign
- UK Photographers Rights Guide v2
Some further examples of a lack of common senses can be found here:
- Arrested photographer: Court case too expensive
- The picture that could land you in jail
- Amateur photographer arrested and de-arrested
I’m sure that this will not be the last example we see of police over reaction to photography in public.
Beasley's Place 