I stumbled across this interesting piece in Amateur Photographer magazine that I think everyone should know about. They’ve told us what rights we have if a Police Officer stops in public, it’s basically details police guidelines intervening under the Terrorism Act 2000. I myself have been scared to take photos in certain public places such as the underground because I thought it was illegal. Guidelines after the cut.
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The editor of Amateur Photographer Damien Demolder said:
“It is important for our law-abiding readers to be empowered to understand that there is no law against taking pictures in a public place in this country, and very few buildings are so sensitive that they should not be included in a picture. It is not an offence to take pictures of another person, or of a police officer or of military personnel. These are not merely my views but the official policy of the Government, police chiefs and the Minister for Counter Terrorism.”
There is no restriction on people taking photographs in public places or of any building other than in very exceptional circumstances;
- There is no prohibition on photographing frontline uniform staff;
- The act of taking a photograph in itself is not usually sufficient to carry out a stop;
- Unless there is a very good reason, people taking photographs should not be stopped;
- Officers do not have the power to delete digital images, destroy film or to prevent photography in a public place under either power (sections 43 and 44 of the terrorism Act 2000).”
They can’t stop us from taking a £1000 photograph. Don’t be afraid, memorise/blog/save this sh*t.
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