ViewFinder Photography Forum

General discussion - our photography living room. Talk about aesthetics, philosophy, share your photos - get inspired by your peers! Moderated by another view and walterick.
ViewFinder Forum Guidelines >>
Introduce Yourself! >>
PhotographREVIEW.com Gatherings and Photo Field Trips >>
Results 1 to 16 of 16
  1. #1
    Panarus biarmicus Moderator (Sports) SmartWombat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    11,750

    Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    http://www.bjp-online.com/public/sho...ml?page=856343

    So instead of using section 44, to stop and search photographers for the hell of it.
    Using section 43 and claiming they "reasonably suspect that photographs are being taken as part of hostile terrorist reconnaissance" they can take your camera away.

    Is there anything of terrorist interest in Southwark, Brent, Newham and Tower Hamlets boroughs ?

    The average policeman on the street wouldn't know a terrorist if they fell over them.
    The specialists can't spot a non-terrorist even after they've shot them.
    So what chance do we have ?
    PAul

    Scroll down to the Sports Forum and post your sports pictures !

  2. #2
    Moderator Didache's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    London England
    Posts
    2,040

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    Sod that for a game of soldiers. They can arrest me if they want, but there is no chance I would hand over my gear willingly. Even if (to quote Private Eye from a few weeks ago) they had reason to suspect I was a Brazilian electrician.

    Mike
    Mike Dales ARPS
    My website: www.mikedalesphotography.co.uk

  3. #3
    project forum co-moderator Frog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    wa state
    Posts
    11,195

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    That's nuts!
    If they want to seize photo equipment they better start with cell phones which are much more discreet for taking photos.
    Maybe they should seize google earth too.
    Keep Shooting!

    CHECK OUT THE PHOTO PROJECT FORUM
    http://forums.photographyreview.com/...splay.php?f=34

    Please refrain from editing my photos without asking.

  4. #4
    banished Don Schaeffer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Huntington, NY
    Posts
    5,816

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    That's not possible according to any law I know. We don't live in a police state yet. Police who harrass you can be cited themselves.

  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
    Posts
    295

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    We don't live in a police state, are you sure about that ?

    From today, anyone taking a photograph of a police officer could be deemed to have committed a criminal offence.

    That is because of a new law - Section 76 of the Counter Terrorism Act - which has come into force.

    It permits the arrest of anyone found "eliciting, publishing or communicating information" relating to members of the armed forces, intelligence services and police officers, which is "likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".
    BBC source http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7888301.stm
    Keep your sense of proportion by regularly, preferably daily, visiting the natural world.

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
    Posts
    295

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    ...and just to complete the picture in case you think you are safe because you are not a terrorist here is just a few examples of how the 'anti terror laws' are being used in London.
    Cops search 185 using terrorism law........
    Despite six people being stopped and searched a day on average, no-one has ever been arrested in Bromley borough for terrorism-related offences........
    From March 1 to May 31 this year, Bromley police stopped 2,824 people.
    Of these, 294 people - 10.4 per cent - were arrested.
    Source http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/search/...terrorism_law/

    Croydon Council uses anti-terror laws to spy on its citizens.
    Croydon Council has ordered surveillance designed to thwart terrorist bombings to snoop on benefit fraudsters, noisy neighbours, drug dealers, fly-tippers, racists and rogue traders.
    source http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/search/..._its_citizens/

    Police reveal stop and search figures.....
    There were 32,395 stop and searches under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 in London between April and August 2007.
    source http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/search/...earch_figures/

    Yes I think your right Don, we don't live in a police state !
    Keep your sense of proportion by regularly, preferably daily, visiting the natural world.

  7. #7
    project forum co-moderator Frog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    wa state
    Posts
    11,195

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    Have George Bush and Dick Cheney moved to Britain?
    Keep Shooting!

    CHECK OUT THE PHOTO PROJECT FORUM
    http://forums.photographyreview.com/...splay.php?f=34

    Please refrain from editing my photos without asking.

  8. #8
    Panarus biarmicus Moderator (Sports) SmartWombat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    11,750

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    The police have apologised for taking photographers' press cards away, and for containing (not detaining) photographers away from the action while they used dog squads to snatch protesters.
    http://www.bjp-online.com/public/sho...ml?page=855732

    They even took away at least one camera at the G20 protests.
    http://www.bjp-online.com/public/sho...ml?page=849669

    I pity any freelancer caught up in photographing a demonstration in future.
    But there may not be many freelancers left.
    http://bit.ly/rv6Rx
    The Guardian may not be alone in cutting freelancers' fees and taking all rights not first use rights for that single fee.

    But there is good news, the Home Office have assured us that there is nothing to worry about. ..
    http://www.bjp-online.com/public/sho...ml?page=855732

    .. .apart from our Police Community Support Officers, perhaps.
    'I am acutely aware of the potential for terrorism,' he said. 'We have to look out for such things, but common sense seems to have escaped police officers—or, very often, PCSOs—in some of the cases that have been mentioned'
    http://www.bjp-online.com/public/sho...ml?page=850305
    PAul

    Scroll down to the Sports Forum and post your sports pictures !

  9. #9
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    indiana
    Posts
    38

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    I got the f*** beaten out of me in Chicago, fighting the main pig, in 1968. Everyone saw this coming. When they shot our kids down at Kent State, "we" did nothing.

    COWARDS deserve nothing, because cowards ARE nothing. You should have stood up and defended your rights, long ago. Now you have no rights.

    And I say IT LOOKS GOOD ON YOU! You're getting exactly what you deserve.

  10. #10
    Moderator Didache's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    London England
    Posts
    2,040

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    It is hardly true that nobody is defending our rights. I am for one. Older forum members will remember a long thread that resulted from ME being one of those stopped and searched under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Those who read that thread will know that I wrote to my Member of Parliament who forwarded to me a letter from the Home Office ADMITTING that the Act was used incorrectly in my case and requesting the relevant commander of the Metropolitan Stasi, errr I mean Police, to comment. This was last November. As of now he/she still had not responded (even though they are responsible to Parliament and the Home Office!).

    So I wrote to my MP again. The reply from the MP to myself expressed concern that he had not responded and said that he had written to the Commander requesting him to contact me or him ASAP. This is where is gets just a wee bit encouraging: my MP handwrote (ie below the "official" part of the letter: "PS Thanks for not letting this drop and for letting me know". I am somewhat encouraged that, at least, my MP is pursuing it.

    Then it gets bizarre. When someone is stopped and searched under the Act, they are told (as I was) that they are entitled to the paperwork on request for up to 12 months. So I wrote to the police requesting the paperwork. I received a reply which included a form for me to fill out and telling me that I had to include £10 for the papers!!! So .... not only am I stopped and searched under an inappropriate act, I have to pay even to get the paperwork for it! Would you believe it??

    We will see how the obercommander of the Metropolitan Stasi responds to the MP's letter. I am still not holding my breath.

    Cheers
    Mike
    Mike Dales ARPS
    My website: www.mikedalesphotography.co.uk

  11. #11
    project forum co-moderator Frog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    wa state
    Posts
    11,195

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    I don't know any photographers who aren't willing to defend our rights but I don't think a million photographer march on D.C. is going to happen.
    Keep Shooting!

    CHECK OUT THE PHOTO PROJECT FORUM
    http://forums.photographyreview.com/...splay.php?f=34

    Please refrain from editing my photos without asking.

  12. #12
    has-been... another view's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Rockford, IL
    Posts
    7,649

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    Two things -

    First off, we no longer allow political discussions due to problems in Off Topic. I'm not saying this thread has turned political but it seems to have the potential. Please keep it on topic (i.e. laws and their enforcement, not the politics behind it all).

    Second, I see replies from four separate countries. Laws are different, keep that in mind.

  13. #13
    Panarus biarmicus Moderator (Sports) SmartWombat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    11,750

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    I'm sorry to see the rant that dropped in the middle there, I want this to be non-political.

    As I said there is good news, the British Government's idea of what should be happening is not in accord with the police implementation and our Members of Parliament are on our side as they should be - we elect them.
    Some MPs have been pushed into action by recent events, and I think the recent ministerial comments are encouraging.
    But I think it will take a while for the police to change their ways.
    PAul

    Scroll down to the Sports Forum and post your sports pictures !

  14. #14
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
    Posts
    295

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    I apologise if I was ranting Paul, I tend to get a bit exited about loss of freedom but this is probably not the place, sorry.
    AV, true I am in Brazil but my comments were about the situation is the UK not here, here they shoot first and don't ask questions later.
    Keep your sense of proportion by regularly, preferably daily, visiting the natural world.

  15. #15
    Hardcore...Nikon Speed's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Newport, NC
    Posts
    4,318

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    Well, it's for DAMN SURE I will not be going to the UK!!!

    Screw that. I know I'd get singled out for having a funny accent.

    I feel for you buddy.

    And it looks like the same goes for Brazil.

    My favorite hobbies consist of shooting: picutres and bullets.

    But it looks like there are damn few places left where you can own guns and take pictures of things...
    Nikon Samurai # 1


    http://mccabephotography.tripod.com

    http://precisionshotsphoto.tripod.com

    "Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry." - Thomas Jefferson

  16. #16
    Grumpy Old Man Overbeyond's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Ireland (Now in London)
    Posts
    2,372

    Re: Police to test power to TAKE our cameras

    Quote Originally Posted by Speed
    Well, it's for DAMN SURE I will not be going to the UK!!!

    Screw that. I know I'd get singled out for having a funny accent.

    I feel for you buddy.

    And it looks like the same goes for Brazil.

    My favorite hobbies consist of shooting: picutres and bullets.

    But it looks like there are damn few places left where you can own guns and take pictures of things...
    Ah! Speed but you could bring your guns to UK and defend yourself surely .
    http://www.overbeyond.com


    I have a total lack of respect for anything connected with society, except that which makes the roads safer, the beer stronger, the food cheaper, and the old men and old women warmer in the winter and happier in the summer. Brendan Behan

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •