BBC Staffer quizzed by Police

[shenstone]

Just watching the Andrew Marr Show and this got featured

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23776068-bbc-man-in-terror-quiz-for-photographing-st-pauls-sunset.do

Iteresting to hear about this on prime time and the guests Mariella Frostrup & some old Journo/politician who's name I've already forgotten did agree we're becoming an eastern block style police state

Regards
Andy

[jonsey]

Re: BBC Staffer quizzed by Police

Just watching the Andrew Marr Show and this got featured

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23776068-bbc-man-in-terror-quiz-for-photographing-st-pauls-sunset.do

Iteresting to hear about this on prime time and the guests Mariella Frostrup & some old Journo/politician who's name I've already forgotten did agree we're becoming an eastern block style police state

Regards
Andy

Aint it getting stupid?? alas its not the only area of concern as far as this country`s direction goes. sigh.

jeff

[AlistairJ]

Re: BBC Staffer quizzed by Police

Yes well, while I agree with this mans complaint about restriction of his freedom and the general loss of civil liberties argument, I think he should have been stopped under suspicion of breaking the rule of thirds

[Wreckdiver]

Re: BBC Staffer quizzed by Police

I think he should have been stopped under suspicion of breaking the rule of thirds

Oh, I don't know. I think the embankment is right on the lower third

Seriously though, I think this comes down to lack of training of junior police officers, particularly the PCSOs. I really don't think that they are properly informed and are let loose on the streets without the training they should get.

It is good to read that Jeff Overs stood up for his rights and bent the Policewoman's ear. I certainly would respond with all guns blazing if it happend to me

Steve

[shenstone]

Re: BBC Staffer quizzed by Police

It's getting quite some attention on various photo forums - it's nice to have the BBC on our side as this will now get trotted out every time a similar incident happens

Re

some old Journo/politician who's name I've already forgotten

They've updated the website so I can now tell anyone whos intersted that the individual described above was former Conservative MP Matthew Parris, now of The Times

Show's how much more likely to remember a young lady than an Old Hack. nothing wrong with that I'm sure

Regards
Andy

[EH1]

Re: BBC Staffer quizzed by Police

This is nothing more than police harrasment! I am actively involved with fighting this sort of thing at the moment with the BFP. It`s funny is`nt it that we are treated as criminals for using cameras, but the MP`s who dream up all this crap are not treated as criminals for the theft of tax payers money for their so called expenses!

[Ellie]

Re: BBC Staffer quizzed by Police

It doesn't seem to matter how often the Met makes public statements that there's no restriction on photography in public places, the message doesn't seem to filter down to the over-zealous foot soldiers, who may have to fulfil some sort of 'stop and search' quota.

Maybe now it's happened to somebody who works for the BBC something will be done about it, but I have my doubts.

Did you see about the chap who was, apparently, stopped because he was taking photographs, by two people who "refused to identify themselves", who then called the police. It looks as if the female officer who turned up thought the chap was "intimidating" because he was tall. Isn't that why there used to be a height limit for the Police, so they wouldn't be 'intimidated' by people bigger than themselves?

Anyhow, there's stuff about that one on the Register Kent Police exceeded powers in too-tall photographer case

[Zuiko]

Re: BBC Staffer quizzed by Police

In some ways I'm glad the police are taking this ridiculous and idiotic stance against photgraphers. At least we now have an inkling what it must be like to be young and black. No wonder the satistics for black teenagers involved in crime are so high, the police are pushing them into it, making it a self fulfilling prophesy. So are the police guilty of institutional racism? I don't know if they're organized enough to do that deliberately, but they are almost certainly guilty of institutional moronity!

I'm thinking of getting a T-shirt prited with the slogan, "Stop me taking pictures - make my day."

What is really worrying, though, is that all this nonsense indicates that the police have not got a clue who or what to look for in the "war against terrorism." If hasseling photographers who are harmlessly taking pictures of London's landmarks is the best they can come up with, it seems that their counter terrorism measures are akin to "Pin The Tail On The Donkey" at a children's party.

Talk about running around like headless chickens! - or should that be headless pigs?

[EH1]

Re: BBC Staffer quizzed by Police

[QUOTE=Zuiko;59104]
I'm thinking of getting a T-shirt prited with the slogan, "Stop me taking pictures - make my day."



I have already got a T-shirt with photographers rights printed all over it! It is produced by the BFP & I always where it when ever I work in London, there are several togs now wearing them in London. So as the saying goes John I`ve already got the T-shirt!

[Zuiko]

Re: BBC Staffer quizzed by Police

So as the saying goes John I`ve already got the T-shirt!

Well, I haven't got the T-shirt but I have been there - Photographer's protest outside New Scotland Yard in February.

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: BBC Staffer quizzed by Police

I want one that says:

"Please let me sue one of you,
as a warning to the rest"

[EH1]

Re: BBC Staffer quizzed by Police

Well, I haven't got the T-shirt but I have been there - Photographer's protest outside New Scotland Yard in February.

Well done John! The more of us who actively protest, the more likely we are to get a result!