Even more police powers!

theMusicMan

theMusicMan

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Not sure if this has been published on TP as yet, but I spotted it a few days ago.

Have a read of this;

http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=836646

I have only been approached by the police when out taking photographs a few times, and on each of those occasions the Police Officers who spoke with me were extremely pleasant, nothing but cordial, and after a few mins of showing them what I was taking shots of, I was allowed to continue what I was doing. I experienced no detrimental issues at all really.

However, this news posted on the BJP www site is not good is it!?

Thoughts...?

Quote:
Taking photos of police officers could be considered a crime
The relationship between photographers and police could worsen next month when new laws are introduced that allow for the arrest and imprisonment of anyone who takes pictures of officers 'likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism'.
Set to become law on 16 February, the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 amends the Terrorism Act 2000 regarding offences relating to information about members of armed forces, a member of the intelligence services, or a police officer.

The new set of rules, under section 76 of the 2008 Act and section 58A of the 2000 Act, will target anyone who 'elicits or attempts to elicit information about [members of armed forces] … which is of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism'.

A person found guilty of this offence could be liable to imprisonment for up to 10 years, and to a fine.

The law is expected to increase the anti-terrorism powers used today by police officers to stop photographers, including press photographers, from taking pictures in public places. 'Who is to say that police officers won’t abuse these powers,' asks freelance photographer Justin Tallis, who was threatened by an officer last week.

Tallis, a London-based photographer, was covering the anti-BBC protest on Saturday 24 January when he was approached by a police officer. Tallis had just taken a picture of the officer, who then asked to see the picture. The photographer refused, arguing that, as a press photographer, he had a right to take pictures of police officers.

According to Tallis, the officer then tried to take the camera away. Before giving up, the officer said that Tallis 'shouldn’t have taken that photo, you were intimidating me'. The incident was caught on camera by photojournalist Marc Vallée.

Tallis is a member of the National Union of Journalists and the British Press Photographers’ Association. 'The incident lasted just 10 seconds, but you don’t expect a police officer to try to pull your camera from your neck,' Tallis tells BJP.
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Day is not far away when we'll be getting stopped by men in long leather coats asking "Your papers, please".
 
1984
 
Only really applies to places where the Terrorism Act (or it's replacement) have been brought into force.

So that'll be London. Unless there is another 2 inches of snow. Then the city will have ground to a stop anyway.
 
I mentioned this change to the law a while back, it's not just police officers though, it covers security services too. That in effect means you have to 2nd guess every shot you take in public for fear you take a shot of someone you shouldn't without knowing who they are. But I'm sure after a few days in a cell whilst your home is searched, etc. they'll let you go :(

Yes, I am being just slightly over dramatic here, for effect ;)
 
Just to add:

It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that they had a reasonable excuse for their action
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just smacks of guilty until proven innocent and leaves the powers open to abuse. PC Nickem sees someone taking his photograph and can arrest and charge someone with the new offence and now Johnny Tog has to prove he had a reasonable excuse. Sorry, but that's the wrong way round - in my book it should be:

PC Nickem sees someone taking his photograph and for whatever reason suspects terrorist activity. There's an investigation, further evidence is found supporting the case and an arrest is made. Or no further evidence is found the Johnny Tog is left alone to enjoy his life in peace without interference or harrassment.
 
Nail on head. pxl8

That’s the way I felt when arrested last year, some dubious words spoken by another was all they needed to arrest me, no proof, no investigation nothing, just a point of view that Im guilty until I can prove myself innocent.

Several hours later ..I'm let out with a sorry...


WTF. :shake:

arclight said:
Day is not far away when we'll be getting stopped by men in long leather coats asking "Your papers, please".
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We're already way passed that point. ... :gag:
 
Ewan said:
We're not in a police state yet, but it is certainly going that way.
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Come on, that's a bit of an exaggeration. It really isn't that bad - I regularly write to my MP and he's extremely receptive.

This place is beginning to sound a bit like the comments on the BBC website.
 
This is rapidly becoming a country i'm stuck with living in rather than one I would choose to live in.:(
 
wack61 said:
This is rapidly becoming a country i'm stuck with living in rather than one I would choose to live in.:(
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Amen to that brother :shake:
 
pxl8 said:
I mentioned this change to the law a while back, it's not just police officers though, it covers security services too. That in effect means you have to 2nd guess every shot you take in public for fear you take a shot of someone you shouldn't without knowing who they are. But I'm sure after a few days in a cell whilst your home is searched, etc. they'll let you go :(

Yes, I am being just slightly over dramatic here, for effect ;)
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We could alwasy ask the security forces police etc for a photo album of their employees to avoid mistakes:)
 
Only good thing about that is you lot can never take my picture! I'm in the Air Force so I'll get you all arrested if you point that thing at me!

On the other hand - means I'll have to march myself down the local nick if I get the urge to do any self portraits!

Chris
 
Should I put a note on my website - no bookings from police, armed forces, etc :shrug:

:lol:
 
'Any officer who suspects an offence has been committed has the right to detain you,' a Metropolitan press officer told BJP at the time. 'Because you are a press photographer does not preclude you from being stopped under section 44 of the Terrorism Act. If the officer thought the photographer acted suspiciously, and especially if it was in a sensitive place, he had a right to detain and question the photographer.'
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But it's entirely down to the officer whether he/she has suspicions, so they can basically detain and question photographers whenever they feel like it. Will they face penalties if they abuse their powers? Unlikely. We've already seen photographers being intimidated at demonstrations and just randomly in public, this will just make police intimidation easier. The scary irony of this is that we won't be able to photograph or film them doing it, because we'll be suspected terrorists :help:

Here is an example of a photographer's assault by Greek riot police, during a totally peaceful demonstration, without any warning.

After being X-rayed, they informed me that I had suffered a dislocated shoulder and possible fractured nose.
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The Berlin wall came down and moved west and we're now the communist state controlled by big brother.
 
TG. said:
Never thought i would hear myself saying this, but it would have probably been a lot less hassle if he had just showed the plod the photos, maybe i'm mellowing :lol:
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It would also have been a lot less hassle if the pig Police Officer hadn't asked to see them in the first place.
 
TG. said:
Never thought i would hear myself saying this, but it would have probably been a lot less hassle if he had just showed the plod the photos, maybe i'm mellowing :lol:
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If they wanted to see my photos, would they process the film for me?

Could be a cheap way of getting film processed!



Steve.
 
Ewan said:
It would also have been a lot less hassle if the pig Police Officer hadn't asked to see them in the first place.
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I quite agree, normally these sort of things really wind me up as i have had similar happen, that's why i made the comment i must be mellowing, i just think were never going to stop it, and if anything it's just going to get worse,and i can't be doing with the hassle anymore, i just hope i'm never in the situation were they might need my photos for any sort of evidence, as i might just be inclined to tell them to go forth and multiply :|
 
TG. said:
I quite agree, normally these sort of things really wind me up as i have had similar happen, that's why i made the comment i must be mellowing, i just think were never going to stop it, and if anything it's just going to get worse,and i can't be doing with the hassle anymore, i just hope i'm never in the situation were they might need my photos for any sort of evidence, as i might just be inclined to tell them to go forth and multiply :|
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Same here. But, I guess I take some kind of pride in standing up to the police. I haven't had a chance yet - I'm trying to resist walking round a train station with my SLR snapping security guards and CCTV cameras, probably a quick way to end up on the floor with my hands behind my back :gag: And that would be suspicous behaviour so they'd be right to arrest me or whatever :p

It's important that people know their rights though, so they can deal with police officers who don't know the law or just think they can make it up on the spot.
 
Just part of the master plan to get us to live in fear, not just from foreign powers/terrorists but even our own law enforcement agency's, who can't even protect us from day to day crime. A very sad state of affairs.

Just my opinion....:razz:
 
Nikon Man said:
Just part of the master plan to get us to live in fear, not just from foreign powers/terrorists but even our own law enforcement agency's, who can't even protect us from day to day crime. A very sad state of affairs.

Just my opinion....:razz:
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I share your opinion, but I don't think there is anybody (at least not a large group or organisation) who are actually trying to make us live in fear. It's just what happens when the Government wants more power, and the Government always does. "Power has its own agenda."
 
Mattfeliks said:
Come on, that's a bit of an exaggeration. It really isn't that bad - I regularly write to my MP and he's extremely receptive.

This place is beginning to sound a bit like the comments on the BBC website.
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Well, I did say we weren't in one yet :p

My MP is fairly receptive too, and it's good that you regularly write to yours. Sadly not many people do.

Well, the police and Government are giving themselves ever increasing power over everyday citizens, and they're spying on us a whole lot more, so in that way we are moving towards a police state. However, people are also becoming more and more aware of this, and the media reports on it fairly neutrally which is definately a good thing.

What I want to see is a modern democracy, with the internet playing a much bigger part in how we the ordinary people tell the Government what we want. The collection of MySociety websites is a truly great thing, and I believe websites like that are essiental in making representative democracy truly representative.
 
The Future of British Policing

40sGestapo.jpg


" Can I see your papers ? "​
 
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