Photographers Rights

[Lifeboat1721]

Have you ever had the police ask you to move on or been stopped and searched under section 44??

I have been stopped a couple of times at Heysham once by the British Transport Police who just wanted to see what I had taken   The second was by the Nuclear Police with there guns and pistols wanting to know what I was doing there. I explained that I was waiting for a cargo boat to arrive while waiting they did a full ID check and I now keep a copy in my kit bag in case I get stopped again.

If so you may find this interesting.. V2 is the latest (Sorry if it's been posted before)
http://www.sirimo.co.uk/2009/05/14/uk-photographers-rights-v2/

Ian

[picsfor]

Welcome to CC and the world of modern photography.

This is a well worn discussion. Surprised at BT Police - you're sure it was genuine BT Police?
Jim and i have never actually seen them despite asking for their presence on numerous occasions 

As for the Nuclear guys, it is a sad fact they have to go pointing guns at any one with a camera as Jonathan has mentioned on one or two occasions down at his local Nuclear Plant.
I'm sure I've got a picture or two of a flask if you want one for your collection - and I'll even include some men in white suits waving Geiger Counters around!

It is a sad fact of life that you must get familiar with being questioned over your activities. I tend to carry a multitude of ID with me now for this very reason - sadly.

[greypoint]

The Metropolitan Police commissioner on Five Live this morning was questioned on the subject of photographers being stopped by his officers and said they had been given specific orders not to harrass photographers unless they really had good reason to believe their activities were part of some kind of 'terrorist' threat.

[anglefire]

Thanks for the update to the summary of the current legal position.

I've only been stopped once when I was photographing inside of a building in Birmingham early one Sunday morning - but when I showed them what I was doing they were ok.

I have said this somewhere else I think - I walked from Tower Bridge, through the city, past St Pauls and a bit beyond during the evening last year and wasn't stopped once, despite carrying a 5D and 24-105 (Or was it a 17-40?).

[Lifeboat1721]

Hi guys, as regards it was BTP as he had a car and it was on his Jacket, And the Nuclear guys they were and still are fine with me if I'm on there side but on the other side of the fence they will stop and have a chat..

One new pair drove around the dock asked what I was doing and if I was taking pics of the "Power Station"?? my reply "NO I don't take picks of concrete blocks" they asked if I had been checked before and I showed them my copy of my check and he noticed that another officer had made a note saying that I had a Glass eye?? "I said yes I have do you want me to take it out"   They declined my offer got back in there car and went.

All part of the fun

Ian

[picsfor]

I have said this somewhere else I think - I walked from Tower Bridge, through the city, past St Pauls and a bit beyond during the evening last year and wasn't stopped once, despite carrying a 5D and 24-105 (Or was it a 17-40?).

See, you just carried it around - you should try actually using it and see what happens