New laws - coming to effect from 16th of February - that will allow for the arrest and imprisonment of anyone who takes pictures of officers 'likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism'.
The Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 amends the Terrorism Act 2000 regarding offences relating to information about members of armed forces, a member of the intelligence services, or a police officer.
The new set of rules, under section 76 of the 2008 Act and section 58A of the 2000 Act, will target anyone who 'elicits or attempts to elicit information about [members of armed forces] … which is of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism'.
Read more here - (article in the British Journal of Photography)
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The number of instances in the US, Canada, Australia, and other countries where vicious police over-reactions and blatant illegal bullying and physical assault of ordinary people by police that have been caught on public mobile (cell) phone cameras and video cameras, and ultimately led to investigation and prosecution of corrupt police must have really scared the police for them to be hiding under the skirts of "Threat to terrorism".
I wandered up the top of Edinburgh with my son from Canada looking for a Mexican restaurant before Christmas, and came across this small band of students peacefully protesting the death of a young man in Greece. I think there may have been 12 protestors, and I had a nice talk with one of them.
What shocked me was the police presence. Eight police officers dressed up to the T's in yellow jackets, guns, and all sorts of miscellaneous dangerous and threatening equipment hanging off their belts and shoulders - very intimidating and scary.
Is this what police here in the UK love to do, intimidate peaceful young people with their authoritarian gimmicks?
Np wonder the police in the UK do not hold much of a good opinion from the public. Shameful bullying tactics just by an intimidating presence.
Well, I for one will always use my mobile camera (still or movie) to capture any such stupid intimidating behaviour from wannabees.
I am proud of those young people for holding their ground so peacefully. I wish I could join you, but I'm too old now at 64!
An interesting short film about the legality of taking photographs on the streets in the UK. There's a nice interaction between the photographer and a couple of Police Community Support Officers in Central London.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKl2sEN4yNM&feature=related
Mass photography protest - Monday 16th February 2009, Metropolitan Police HQ, New Scotland Yard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJBQG0Wh-S0
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