Photography to be Restricted in the UK

The UK’s Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, has given the go-ahead for photography to be restricted in the UK. In a very worrying sign of the times, Smith wrote in a letter to the National Union of Journalists that “Decisions may be made locally to restrict or monitor photography in reasonable circumstances. That is an operational decision for the officers involved based on the individual circumstances of each situation.” No clarification was given of what might constitute “reasonable circumstances”. The Home Secretary went on to say “‘It is for the local Chief Constable, in the case of your letter the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Force, to decide how his or her Officers and employees should best balance the rights to freedom of the press, freedom of expression and the need for public protection.” Considering that the Metropolitan Police force have already targeted photographers in a prominent poster campaign earlier this year, this isn’t particularly good news…

Website: BJP - Home Secretary green lights restrictions on photography

Published: Thursday, July 03, 2008

Reader Comments

1. Hello Britain,welcome to new fascism!! :-(

   Salvador at 10:49am on Thursday, July 03, 2008

2. The title makes it sound worse than it is... "Decisions may be made locally to restrict or monitor photography in reasonable circumstances."
   
   The full article goes on to say that there are no UK laws against photography, so it seems a little bit contradictary to allow police forces to restict photography, especially when there are no laws against it.
   
   It's also surprising that no UK camera manufacturers have spoken out about this? Surely if this ever effects camera sales, then they'd have something to say.

   Josh at 12:55pm on Thursday, July 03, 2008

3. What this article is saying is that, sure we have no 'law's which stop you, but if the police reckon you look like a bad guy, a terrorist, shoot first question second!
   
   Leaving the decision upto the discretion of the already mis-informed coppa is only likely to maintain or increase the number of incidents to innocent victims who either work in or enjoy photography!

   Cybes at 01:40pm on Thursday, July 03, 2008

4. That is what they want you to think, Josh.
   
   The wording is intentional. They are using vague language to make you think it's not all that bad but common sense doesn't always prevail - what exactly are "reasonable circumstances" to your local law enforcement out on the street?
   
   If officers already believe photography is somehow not allowed in public places, what are they going to think when an actual law is passed restricting photography? Regardless of the detail.
   
   This is just another law being passed to make it look like they are making us safer in the knowledge that the terrorists won't be able to take photos of their intended targets, as they do.

   rds at 01:57pm on Thursday, July 03, 2008

5. It does not sound quite as bad as the title suggest, but the idea that the officers will make decisions based on the circumstances are bad enough. It is like that in the States, though, ever since 9/11. You can be taking photos in a very public place and if the police or other officials do not think you should be there, you will get hassled over it. It is probably always best to just leave the scene peacefully lest you get carried away.

   Kerry Sanders at 04:46pm on Friday, July 04, 2008

6. Goodbye to memories and creativity.

   ILovePhotography at 02:43am on Monday, July 07, 2008

7. Good thing that the UK has no other problems (like stabbings and rising crime) and the police can spend their time hassling people taking pictures.
   Speaking from my past experiences with Police if you are using a big and obvious camera you must be a terrorist because terrorists would never come to the idea of just using a camera phone for taking pictures.
   Not that anyone ever saw or caught a terrorist taking pictures but hey, it MUST make us safer if we restrict people's freedoms.

   Cristian at 10:08am on Tuesday, July 08, 2008