Police Reminded That Photography Isn’t A crime

The Metropolitan Police has issued guidance to its officers, reminding them that using a camera in public is not in itself a terrorist offence.

“Members of the public and the media do not need a permit to film or photograph in public places and police have no power to stop them filming or photographing incidents or police personnel.”

The guidance goes on to clarify Section 58a of the Terrorism Act 2000, stating:

“It should ordinarily be considered inappropriate to use Section 58a to arrest people photographing police officers in the course of normal policing activities, including protests, as without more, there is no link to terrorism.”

Clarifying this law is great news for photographers, but only if it makes it to the front line. It’s not much comfort knowing the officer is in the wrong and that you’ll ultimately be released without charge when you are sat in a cell and your camera’s bee seized.

Let’t hope this improve.