Advice to photographers in Uk (was "My fellow criminals...")

[michael_boylan]

Originally Posted by MPerson

Law in Action on Radio Four has a piece on Photography & the Law this afternoon. It is the second item and starts about 9 min 45 sec into the prog:

Law in Action

Interesting interview. I wish the Beeb would publish the communication they received from the Police Officers Association confirming they have no right to stop photography, other than if an act of terrorism is suspected, and absolutely no right to delete or confiscate media. Carrying a copy of that would be useful.

[michael_boylan]

Rally outside Scotland Yard this Feb 16th

Brits: rally to save your right to photograph the police, Feb 16 at Scotland Yard - Boing Boing

[cmdrfire]

As a note - I was on the Goldhawk Road in London last week taking photos of the London Underground bridge there for my Railway Engineering class. I was stopped by a police lady who questioned me about it (despite the fact that the lecturer had informed the police the date and time of when we would be there). She asked a few questions, I showed her my university credentials and she seemed satisfied with the answer (though she did say "you will be questioned by any other police who see you doing this"...).
I expected it to be much worse, but generally the situation in this country is terrible. You are treated like a criminal...

[stunsworth]

Smile, you're on camera...

Landlord fights police plan for CCTV at pub | UK news | The Guardian

[chris_livsey]

British Journal of Photography - MPF backs photographers

More from the BJP.
A bit of a laugh really. It appears that the Met. Police federation want a photography code to be issued, pity they don't read the one they have already then.

A Superintendent advises photographers not be confrontational and be reasonable. I wonder if he could give the same advice to his own officers ?

A good point though re photography in the capital in 2012. It's going to be hard for the Olympic tourists not to take photographs of our wonderful policemen and our historic (terrorist targets) buildings.

[chris_livsey]

Manchester man arrested for alleged sewer-grate photography, held as a terrorist - Boing Boing

Arrested for taking photographs of sewer grids in Manchester (UK).

No wonder- he used a camera phone (allegedly)
actually no photos were found but his DNA is still on file.

[spylaw4]

If past events are anything to go by, he'll have a long hard fight on his hands to get his DNA removed from the database.
Paranoia rules!

[farnz]

... and here's a tragic tale of a man who was arrested, searched and detained under section 58 just for talking to a policeman.

It really does make me wonder about the sanity of some of those who are charged with supposedly keeping us safe. And where it's all leading ...

Pete.

[cmdrfire]

Originally Posted by farnz

... and here's a tragic tale of a man who was arrested, searched and detained under section 58 just for talking to a policeman.

It really does make me wonder about the sanity of some of those who are charged with supposedly keeping us safe. And where it's all leading ...

Pete.

My God. This really scares me - I'm in London often, taking photos of "odd" things (often for my MSc as well as general street photography) and (because I like to give the benefit of the doubt) I'm often talking to policemen, especially if something's going on and I want to know what it is. I've even had a conversation with a few of them regarding the M8. I hope that the chap involved files an official complaint... not sure how much good that would do, but nevertheless.

[stunsworth]

Be careful if you're looking in shop windows...

Football: Police apologise over Anichebe incident | Football | guardian.co.uk

Nothing to do with them being black of course.

[albertobari]

You can see this video:
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/03/03...man-arres.html

[USA road racer]

I truly emphasize with you in the UK. How could this happen? Makes me glad that I live in the Free State of Arizona. Yes, we may seem crazy to many as we CAN walk around carrying hand guns on our sides if we choose to do so. We can also carry concealed if you have a permit & training. We can even own & use fully automatic weapons here. Yet, we don't have a problem with it. It seems that many nations want to take the peoples rights away from them because it is "Politically correct" to do so. Now that the stupid voters here in the US have elected a SOCIALIST government, they will see how all of this is not helping society, but destroying the rights, freedom & free will of the people. It MUST END! I wish all of you in the UK the best and DO NOT allow anymore of your rights be trampled. What will be next, the Government intruding into your bedroom?

[cmdrfire]

1) Barack Obama is not socialist;
2) Barack Obama is not socialist;
3) Much of our infringement of liberties has come from a previous Conservative government, and then (more so admittedly) from twelve years of the most right-leaning Labour government in history;
4) For all our faults, and not to turn this into a political discussion, we did not just have eight years of George W. Bush (though Tony Blair wasn't far off);
5) I'm glad you can own guns, people here can as well. There is a permit program in the UK, mostly covering shotguns but also certain single-action rifles. Handguns are generally not permitted. There is a very high bar to ownership.

Edit: and for your talk of "Free" States, the last three times I've been to the US (from 2001-2004) I've been treated more or less like a criminal at the airports. The police and customs here will speak to me in a civil manner at least.

[USA road racer]

I will agree with you that you seem to have NO RIGHTS when going thru US airports. But that's what you get when you pay people minimum wage who never had ANY position of power in their lives before and suddenly have nearly the power of life or death. They have no concept how to conduct themselves. It is such a LOUSEY job,even in times of high unemployment~ no one want the job!! So, they hire anyone who can breathe & walk. Speaking an intelligible language is optional!!
Well, if Obama gives all the 25 million illegals amnesty, THEY will get the jobs. How's your Spanish?

And he IS a SOCIALIST!!

[DTD]

Originally Posted by USA road racer

How's your Spanish? And he IS a SOCIALIST!!

Well it is a bi-lingual forum! Hopefully on the issue of photography we can all stay on the same side.
I'm a socialist. You'll just have to take my word for it, Mr Obama isn't a socialist.

[Bigfeet]

Originally Posted by DTD

Well it is a bi-lingual forum! Hopefully on the issue of photography we can all stay on the same side.
I'm a socialist. You'll just have to take my word for it, Mr Obama isn't a socialist.

What is he then?


Bigfeet

[cmdrfire]

A rather sensible capitalist and left-leaning centrist.

Infrastructure and national health: these are good things.

[farnz]

Can we kindly not turn this thread into another interminable political free-for-all and get back on topic please??

Pete.

[bill]

Originally Posted by farnz

Can we kindly not turn this thread into another interminable political free-for-all and get back on topic please??

Pete.

Hear hear.

Regards,

Bill

[cmdrfire]

Sorry.