Photography in the UK

<p>There are a couple of articles in <em>The Independent</em> today (<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/warning-do-not-take-this-picture-1833127.html"><strong>here</strong> </a> and <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/jerome-taylor-i-was-questioned-over-my-harmless-snapshot-1833130.html"><strong>here</strong> </a> ) about continuing harassment of photographers by police in the United Kingdom. Anti-terror laws are being used in ways that have nothing to do with the stated reasons why those laws were passed. Here is an extract from a reply I received recently from the Home Office (the UK Ministry responsible for the police) in response to a letter I wrote deploring some recent incidents in which innocent photographers were arrested or otherwise bullied by police:</p>

<p>"The Home Office continues to assert that counter-terrorism laws are not designed nor intended to stop people taking photographs. This is simply not their aim. People have the right to take photographs in public places for legitimate reasons and we will do everything we can to uphold that right. We continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that incidents like the ones you've highlighted do not restrict the legitimate activity of photography in public."</p>

<p>I would encourage anyone who lives in the UK or enjoys visiting the UK to write to the Home Office urging them to keep reminding the police that taking a photograph in public is not illegal under UK anti-terrorism laws. You can reach the home office <a href="http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/contact-us?form=general"><strong>via their web site</strong> </a> or by sending a letter to: Home Office, Direct Communications Unit, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF, United Kingdom.</p>

 

<p>the section 44 is being used to harass innocent photographers, which for all intent and purposes was brought in to deal with terrorism!</p>

<p>I'm right behind you there. Any harrassment, send a letter to the Home Secretary, copy your own MP and Lord Carlile. Eventually the message might get through.</p>

<p>It seems there might be some good news at last on this topic. There is a <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/police-told-stop-this-abuse-of-terror-law-1834626.html"><strong>report in today's <em>Independent</em> </strong> </a> that the Association of Chief Police Officers has sent an email to all chief constables in England and Wales advising them that Section 44 powers should not be used unnecessarily against photographers. Of course, it remains to be seen what the effect will be, but it does seem like a step in the right direction.</p>

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