Typical Government Resoponse

It's worth pointing out that, should someone be questioned by a police officer whilst taking photographs, it is perfectly within their remit to arrest you for disorderly conduct or a public order offence if you kick up too much of a fuss about your 'rights'.
 
I think the correct course of action if you get into this situation is to be polite and courteous to the officer while informing him that as far as you are concerned you are completely within your rights to be taking photographs....and that in your opinion he is acting contrary to government guidelines. If he is still insistent that you stop, move on etc you should then inform him that you will be making a formal complaint to his Chief Constable and you'll be needing his collar number and the name of the station he is based at (he is obliged to give you this information)

What you must then do is make the complaint....and follow it through all the way to the CC. It will only cost you a little time and a couple of postage stamps. If CC's start getting letters of complaint on their desk they will at least then be aware that some of their officers need to clean up their act. At worst you'll get a curt reply saying that in this instance the officer was right....at best you'll get a letter of apology from the CC. If an apology is given follow it up with another letter stating that as nice as it is to receive an apology you are concerned that the same officer may well find himself in the same situation again and act in the same way. Ask if he has been given more training....put pressure on the CC to tell you what he is doing to make sure that the officer in question...and in fact all of his officers are acting correctly. In short make a bloody nuisance of yourself until you get answers:rules:
 
Eric Mc said:
I think the correct course of action if you get into this situation is to be polite and courteous to the officer while informing him that as far as you are concerned you are completely within your rights to be taking photographs....and that in your opinion he is acting contrary to government guidelines. If he is still insistent that you stop, move on etc you should then inform him that you will be making a formal complaint to his Chief Constable and you'll be needing his collar number and the name of the station he is based at (he is obliged to give you this information)

What you must then do is make the complaint....and follow it through all the way to the CC. It will only cost you a little time and a couple of postage stamps. If CC's start getting letters of complaint on their desk they will at least then be aware that some of their officers need to clean up their act. At worst you'll get a curt reply saying that in this instance the officer was right....at best you'll get a letter of apology from the CC. If an apology is given follow it up with another letter stating that as nice as it is to receive an apology you are concerned that the same officer may well find himself in the same situation again and act in the same way. Ask if he has been given more training....put pressure on the CC to tell you what he is doing to make sure that the officer in question...and in fact all of his officers are acting correctly. In short make a bloody nuisance of yourself until you get answers:rules:
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I agree with all of what you say, but I think the bold bit is the bit some would be best advised to remember.
 
Eric Mc said:
I think the correct course of action if you get into this situation is to be polite and courteous to the officer while informing him that as far as you are concerned you are completely within your rights to be taking photographs....and that in your opinion he is acting contrary to government guidelines. If he is still insistent that you stop, move on etc you should then inform him that you will be making a formal complaint to his Chief Constable and you'll be needing his collar number and the name of the station he is based at (he is obliged to give you this information)

What you must then do is make the complaint....and follow it through all the way to the CC. It will only cost you a little time and a couple of postage stamps. If CC's start getting letters of complaint on their desk they will at least then be aware that some of their officers need to clean up their act. At worst you'll get a curt reply saying that in this instance the officer was right....at best you'll get a letter of apology from the CC. If an apology is given follow it up with another letter stating that as nice as it is to receive an apology you are concerned that the same officer may well find himself in the same situation again and act in the same way. Ask if he has been given more training....put pressure on the CC to tell you what he is doing to make sure that the officer in question...and in fact all of his officers are acting correctly. In short make a bloody nuisance of yourself until you get answers:rules:
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On this, I can say we are in total agreement.
 
Marcel said:
I would like to ask this...

What would the perfect response have been? Please type it out as if you had full control of Government policy.
Just curious as to what everyone thinks.
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CLARKY'S BIG BOOK O' HOW TO GET ARRESTED said:
My suggestion is next time you are hassled by an officer, and he tries to remove your camera, feel free to try and remove his baton, handcuffs and anything else you see fit. It's only fair after all, he's trying to take your property, at least he'll get replacements from his police station stores ;)
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How's that Marcel? :D

Fact of the matter is the petition asked for clarification, which is what the response gave. There's only so much the No. 10 can do when ulimately it comes down to a small scale issue, with a copper getting a bit jumpy, over zelous, or upset he's not made SO19 yet. I agree that if you have a problem then take it up with the CC. The No.10 response has made it clear that there's not a lot they can do besides give clarification on the law. Now armed with this official clarification (can't get much more official than the No.10 website!) you have the perfect grounds for a complaint. If enough people complain the something may be done one day, especially in areas where we're more at risk, for example, in that London.

I'm lucky, the last copper that spoke to me whilst togging asked how I was liking my Oly E-420 as he'd just bought one :)
 
Simmotino said:
It's worth pointing out that, should someone be questioned by a police officer whilst taking photographs, it is perfectly within their remit to arrest you for disorderly conduct or a public order offence if you kick up too much of a fuss about your 'rights'.
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Its also worth pointing out that any copper that threatens me like that...

...will soon be hearing from my solicitors, and his chief Constable and will shortly afterwards be coming round to my house to apologise for stepping over their remit.... and I'll be shoving it in there bewildered face.

Pah! ... blackmail!!, that’s what your statement is Simmotino. :nono:

IMO. ;)
 
Forbiddenbiker said:
Its also worth pointing out that any copper that threatens me like that...

...will soon be hearing from my solicitors, and his chief Constable and will shortly afterwards be coming round to my house to apologise for stepping over their remit.... and I'll be shoving it in there bewildered face.

Pah! ... blackmail!!, that’s what your statement is Simmotino. :nono:

IMO. ;)
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If I were a copper I'd agree with you! :D

As it is, it's advanced warning to those who think they can get all "freedom of speech" with a police officer when simply co-operating would be much easier/quicker.
 
J Gordon said:
Hypothetically, let's say you are photographing a heron fishing on a canal side, along comes plod who says 'you cannot photograph here, move on or I'll arrest you/take you in for further questioning
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I am lead to believe that if he is going to arrest you, then POLITELY ask the officer to take you to the nearest station and CHARGE you.

When he gets to the station they will let you go as there would be no chargeable offence.
 
whiteflyer said:
I am lead to believe that if he is going to arrest you, then POLITELY ask the officer to take you to the nearest station and CHARGE you.

When he gets to the station they will let you go as there would be no chargeable offence.
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Apart from a long walk home.. what would that achieve ?
 
Wonder why that has been pulled so quickly?

Has anyone got a copy of the original they can let me have please?
 
Grockle said:
Wonder why that has been pulled so quickly?

Has anyone got a copy of the original they can let me have please?
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The matter was closed, and everyone who signed will have been emailed so there's no point wasting server space...that would be my guess :shrug:

KIPAX said:
Apart from a long walk home.. what would that achieve ?
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I do agree in theory Kip but assuming there was no chargable offence it may just highlight the ineptitude of the officer to his peers or possibly his supieriors when he gets you down the nick and he's told to release you. I'm inclined to say that safest thing to do is walk away, and if you feel so inclined then take his/her name and number and report him/her.
 
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