richardhobsonphotography.co.uk

A link to the news story about the BBC staff photographer who was stopped by police whilst taking photographs in Westminster.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8384972.stm

Have you seen the recent press coverage of Photographers being stopped, searched, even arrested for taking photographs in public places?

In the UK it is NOT against the law to take photographs in public places. It is probably unwise to travel to a military installation and take photographs of that for instance but what we’re talking about here is simply taking regular photo’s. A BBC staff photographer was recently stopped for taking photographs of St Pauls Cathedral. An award winning architectural photographer was searched under section 44 of the terrorism act for photographing architecture.

Do the police really think a terrorist on a reccy would be carrying pro gear and be so visible?

I don’t have any issues with vigilance. Yes, I’m happy that our police are vigilant but they shouldnot be over stepping the mark. They have no right in law to demand erasure of images. They have no right in law to detail without due cause.

http://photographernotaterrorist.org/2009/12/mass-photo-gathering/

We’ll see what happens on Saturday 23rd January when a demonstration against this is being held in London. See the link above for the full details.

There is also a facebook event page for it at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=217508295848