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In the name of anti-terrorism, photographers are being systematically bullied by the officious, self-important jobsworths of our overbearing state

There's been a rash of recent stories in the media about amateur photographers stopped and searched under s. 44 of the Terrorism Act.  Andrew White was arrested in Brighton for taking a picture of the Christmas lights.  The BBC's Jeff Overs was similarly quizzed for daring to take a picture of St Paul's, which must be one of the most photographed buildings in the world.

Philip Johnston has dedicated his column in the Telegraph to the issue today (recommended reading), and after the arrest of one of their photographers the issue is on the front page of the Independent.

Chips-1024x679 Radio 4 featured the issue this morning on the Today Programme, harking back to the story this summer of Alex Turner, arrested for taking a snap of his local chippie in Chatham.  Here is the offending photograph.  Outrageous!

Over at his site you will see the reasoned and rational correspondence he sent to the police about his quite wrongful arrest, to which no satisfactory answer has yet been given.  You will also see from the many comments there that we are far from alone in agreeing with him.

What did the officers possibly think he was doing wrong?  How could they possibly suggest that he was doing anything remotely connected with terrorism?  And how arrogant are those who supposedly protect us, to arrest him when he had the temerity to take a photograph of them?

By Alex Deane 

Posted on December 4, 2009 by Alex Deane Posted in Overbearing state
  • http://profile.typepad.com/6p01287587f48d970c www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=712695648

    The leader of our local council, a keen amateur photographer, was taking photos in a shopping centre when he was stopped by security. He didn’t say, “Do you know who I am?” but went home and emailed the manager of the centre. The next he knew was a call from the police, to whom the manager had passed his email, without his say-so. All sorted now, but it’s as daft as you can get.

  • http://jess-the-dog.blogspot.com/ Jess The Dog

    Right, here’s my suggestion.
    “Flash mob.”
    Mass photography of public buildings and police officers.
    Not a demonstration, not a protest, just the exercise of a right under the law.
    Make sure all are clued up to leave ID at home and to follow legal guidance on non-co-operation with stop and search and other attempts at intimidation.
    The police will either embarrass themselves by over-reacting or will look foolish standing by with a load of snappers clicking away.