The ironic thing is, they are probably too scared to actually stop anyone who looks like they are from a Muslim country. Stick to the WASPs, that way they know they can meet their quota of `collars felt`, feel important and not upset the Muslims and get a ticking off for harassment - they know most of us are far too `British` to complain. Seriously, if I blacked myself up a bit, wore a sheet and walked around taking photos of London landmrks they wouldn't dare stop me.
Welcome to modern Britain.
So, if you want to avoid being harassed, dress like a muslim with your keffiyah wrapped 'round your head?
Why not!? I can't understand any sort of logic the Old Bill apply to these situations - I mean, if I was a terrorist or planning an attrocity of some kind I would have the foresight to use a small point and shoot on my recon mission - not a Canon 1D or Nikon D3 with a 70-200mm lens strapped to the front - I just don't understand their way of thinking.
I can't understand any sort of logic the Old Bill apply to these situations - I mean, if I was a terrorist or planning an attrocity of some kind I would have the foresight to use a small point and shoot on my recon mission - not a Canon 1D or Nikon D3 with a 70-200mm lens strapped to the front - I just don't understand their way of thinking.
Agree with you there. I think a while back when this all started happening a lot of it was down to the police themselves not being sure of what the law was. Surely they should have a better idea now. A lot of it is them using the terror laws to their own advantage such as clamping down on photography at legal demonstrations, but on the tourist trail as this story was is nonsensical.
One thing to bear in mind is that they are NEVER allowed to delete any images from your camera/card. This would be construed as tampering with evidence and would lead to a severe reprimand or even dismissal. If an officer asks you to delete any images then you can refuse point blank - granted you may get a `tug`, but you are perfectly within your rights to refuse.
What's with the "Eastern Bloc" note? C'mon, it's been 20 years!
He was just comparing it to the Eastern Bloc countries during the height of the cold war when citizens were constantly on their guard from the police and everyone suspected everyone of being an informant. I think it was quite an apt analogy.
Remind me not to move to the UK if I wish to continue my enthusiastic but otherwise unremarkable amateur career. Though it might be fun to get arrested for shooting a sunset...
Deb, wasn't you on the London GTG when a few of us got stopped by the Old Bill?
She certainly was! And also assisted in unlawful entry of a public house for the procurememt of alcohol, though she will deny this and claim she was looking for Starbucks!
Ummm, I don't remember anything about unlawful entry.... I swear I was just looking for a Starbucks. A decent cappucino at a minimum!!
One thing to bear in mind is that they are NEVER allowed to delete any images from your camera/card. This would be construed as tampering with evidence and would lead to a severe reprimand or even dismissal. If an officer asks you to delete any images then you can refuse point blank - granted you may get a `tug`, but you are perfectly within your rights to refuse.
Reading the photographers rights on the PhotographerNot Terroist site it mentions that they can also only view the images 'in very limited circumstances'. I'm not quite sure what those circumstances are but i would imagine it would involve an actual arrest for which they should have a reasonable suspicion of your involvement in potential terrorism.
... I mean, if I was a terrorist or planning an attrocity of some kind I would have the foresight to use a small point and shoot on my recon mission ...
samething happens here in NYC, sucks I dont understand how a regular person or a tourist with a point and shoot dont get questioned but soon as I pull out my SLR and lenses I get questioned. This has happened more than once if not I am watched like a hawk.....It all really sucks!!!!!!
I think that your run of the mill security guard assumes that if you have an SLR (a "professional" camera) then you are a professional photographer and they run you off. It has happened to me at two different shopping malls. I never had any trouble with my point and shoot camera.
I think that your run of the mill security guard assumes that if you have an SLR (a "professional" camera) then you are a professional photographer and they run you off. It has happened to me at two different shopping malls. I never had any trouble with my point and shoot camera.
I'm seriously considering getting one of these...
for when taking photographs with a tripod in town. I imagine people would tend to ignore you if you looked a bit like a surveyor or something.
The high-vis vest idea is pretty cool - however what if when wearing this you are stopped by the police then asked why you are wearing a hard hat and high-vis vest when you are not working in the area..
The high-vis vest idea is pretty cool - however what if when wearing this you are stopped by the police then asked why you are wearing a hard hat and high-vis vest when you are not working in the area..
The fuckers will get you either way.
Because acorns tend to hit me in the head pretty often and I didn't want cars to hit me, sir :)
... I mean, if I was a terrorist or planning an attrocity of some kind I would have the foresight to use a small point and shoot on my recon mission ...
Or shoot video with an iPod Nano ...
or stay at home and use Google Street Map . . it's no fun planning attrocities in the rain
One thing to bear in mind is that they are NEVER allowed to delete any images from your camera/card. This would be construed as tampering with evidence and would lead to a severe reprimand or even dismissal. If an officer asks you to delete any images then you can refuse point blank - granted you may get a `tug`, but you are perfectly within your rights to refuse.
Question is - if they take you in to the station will they then fingerprint and DNA you before letting you go ?
So for the price of a so-so picture you are now on a string of databases . . . hmmm . .
One thing to bear in mind is that they are NEVER allowed to delete any images from your camera/card. This would be construed as tampering with evidence and would lead to a severe reprimand or even dismissal. If an officer asks you to delete any images then you can refuse point blank - granted you may get a `tug`, but you are perfectly within your rights to refuse.
Question is - if they take you in to the station will they then fingerprint and DNA you before letting you go ?
So for the price of a so-so picture you are now on a string of databases . . . hmmm . .
I don't think the police can fingerprint and DNA test you unless you are under arrest and charged with a specific crime. So, in this case, they would have to arrest you for suspicion of terrorist activity.
