Is it worth trying to take photos at all ?

[SmartWombat]

They're training volunteers to prevent photography.
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...ws_281398.html

the training draws on existing NaCTSO guidance regarding 'hostile reconnaissance'. This urges people to look out for 'overt/covert photography' as well as those in possession of 'photographs, maps, global positioning systems, photographic equipment, (cameras, zoom lenses, camcorders)'.

A potential issue with these volunteers is that like PCSOs they are not police officers and are not subject to the same restrictions and controls. Think about the deniability of official responsibility for the actions of any of these people trained to regard photographers as hostile.

'Tourists should not necessarily be taken as such and should be treated sensitively, but with caution.'

It will be interesting to see, if we have a gathering in the UK, how a gaggle of photographers is treated.

http://www.bjp-online.com/public/sho...ml?page=860677
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...ws_283571.html
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...ws_259226.html
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...ws_180714.html
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...ws_269777.html
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...fset=&offset=1
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...ws_165897.html

Official guidance to police:
http://www.npia.police.uk/en/docs/St...ism_-_2008.pdf
The good bit:

2.8 PHOTOGRAPHY
The Terrorism Act 2000 does not prohibit people from taking photographs or digital
images in an area where an authority under section 44 is in place. Officers should not
prevent people taking photographs unless they are in an area where photography is
prevented by other legislation.

The not-so-good bit:

If officers reasonably suspect that photographs are being taken as part of hostile terrorist reconnaissance, a search under section 43 of the TerrorismAct 2000 or an arrest should be considered. Filmandmemory cardsmay be seized as part of the search, but officers do not have a legal power to delete images or destroy film. Although images may be viewed as part of a search, to preserve evidence when cameras or other devices are seized, officers should not normally attempt to examine them. Cameras and other devices should be left in the state they were found and forwarded to appropriately trained staff for forensic examination. The person being searched should never be asked or allowed to turn the device on or off because of the danger of evidence being lost or damaged.

Page 44 is perhaps a good one to print and keep.


There is good news though:
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...ws_262712.html
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...ws_197555.html
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...ws_197558.html
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...ws_257561.html
http://www.bjp-online.com/public/sho...ml?page=858685

[Liz]

What I don't quite understand is why "focus" on photographers. The fact is that anyone can get a photo and/or image of any and every place on the internet - and from any angle - and inside and out. With all this information on the internet, I would think it would be easier for someone targeting an area or place to go that route versus using a camera.

Paul, what do you think? Am I missing something here?

Liz

[Frog]

I agree, Liz.
And if someone was being surreptitious they'd use a little camera or cell phone.

Pretty soon we'll have to have a license to carry a camera and they'll be considered as dangerous as guns.

[SmartWombat]

For terrorist purposes, I'd have thought Google Earth would be a good start.
And now the street imaging, unless censored somehow, gives great wide coverage.
It's absurd !

[Liz]

For terrorist purposes, I'd have thought Google Earth would be a good start.
And now the street imaging, unless censored somehow, gives great wide coverage.
It's absurd !

Exactly what my thoughts were. I doubt anyone could do better than Google Earth to get a good view. I can't figure this whole thing out. It makes no sense whatsoever IMO.

Liz

[Frog]

Just saw a thing on CNN about what great images you can get with google earth of nuclear power plants.

[flyinion]

Just as a response to the subject, I think yes it's worth it. If you stop, they've won. What's worse is that you can then look at that as trickling down to the terrorists winning. Just my opinion FWIW.