[jenufa]

I was wondering how many forum members on here have been stopped and questioned by a policman or security person about taking images in public.

[IAN P]

My father was stopped from taking pics from inside the Eldon Square bus station,he's got a new camera bless im',the reason being that it was a new building.Make sense to you guys or was the guard full of it?

[Spooky]

Was stopped from taking pics twice on the same day, it was on private land so they had a point. A few guys went out with our cars and cameras to do a bit of a shoot, nice architecture and nice cars was the plan. First one let us take a few pics for 15 mins then asked us to leave. At the time I was peeved but now I know more he was actually quite cool.
Second one was at the Bank of Scotland building where they were a bit more forceful.
This was before I knew any of the laws that apply to photography etc.

[jenufa]

Ok a couple of incidents so far on private property but anybody in a public place.

[sinizterguy]

My brother-in-law was stopped when got off the train in Canary Wharf - God knows what they might have done if he was taking pictures as well.

[Gordon @ Convergent AV]

Stopped twice in one day at same location. First was a PCSO and second was a real PO. Was a pain but they were just doing their job and were very pleasant.
Stopped by security in Glasgow shopping centre and asked to only take pictures in shop windows after getting permission from the shop owners. They didn't mind when I was doing it with my G9 but when I went to car for DSLR they approached me for a chat.
Stopped by shop staff in shoping mall in Guildford...then followed out by security....

[jenufa]

Originally Posted by sinizterguy

My brother-in-law was stopped when got off the train in Canary Wharf - God knows what they might have done if he was taking pictures as well.

Well done does your village know you are missing

[senu]

I have not been stopped TBH but I have had a "concerned member of public" contact the police as I was seen with a camcorder on a public road. ( My road as it happens) 1/4 of a mile from a school.

They then came to my house.. and spent an hour being obnoxious even when I had been 100% cooperative and very clearly established that the "lady" was merely being fanciful
It was clearly disappointing to them that I was who I said I was, and all was above board.
I find it rather worrying that the Police feel the need to prove that stereotyping and profiling is an exact science and feel "unfulfilled" when "suspects" check out clean..

[electrolyte]

Last year I took some photos at Sheffield train station for my A/S Level Exam to answer the theme of "public transport". I was using my DSLR and a tripod. A security guard stopped me and asked me to go to see the station manager. The guard did state that the reason why he had to stop me was because they were vigilant against terrorists. The station manager was very friendly and said I should phone the train company PR people for permission. he reckoned they would say no though. He gave me the number but as it was 7PM and I'd got all the shots I needed I didn't bother ringing the PR people.

Similar to Spooky I didn't realise that they were totally in their rights to prevent me photographing in the station as the station is private property so I was a little peeved at the time but I am fine about it now.

The other time I've been stopped was in late 2006 when I was again taking photos at night for my A/S Level. This time I was taking long exposure trails of car lights from on top of a roundabout overlooking the M1. Both times I got stopped that night the people who stopped me were more concerned for my health than anything to do with photography as this spot is apparently a known suicide spot. The roundabout at night is quite quiet despite the busy motorway below (which is exactly why I chose it so I wouldn't get in anyone's way). The first person to stop me was a Highways Agency Traffic Officer and once he'd checked I was OK and then had a look at my photos - and agreed that they looked "cool" - he radioed the police to let them know I was Ok. The second person was a lady who said she was a doctor and again she was just concerned for my well being.

Both these stops made me feel a little bit better about British people and the fact that if I had really been wanting to top myself that there are some decent people out there who seem to care about the welfare of strangers.

Also on that same night I had the first of what has become a regular occurrence whenever I am out in public with my camera and a tripod - an old bloke stopped his car, got out and asked me what I was doing. I was initially wary of him but as we chatted it turned out he had a film SLR and had always wanted to try making some long exposure car trail shots but didn't know how. We had a great chat and I almost persuaded him to sell his film camera and buy a digital SLR!

So most times since then whenever I am out with my camera and tripod I usually get a member of joe public stopping to chat with me. They usually ask "are you a pro" or "is this your job" etc and don't really seem to understand when I reply that this is just my hobby! But they usually only too happy to have a look at my LCD screen to see what shots I've taken and to have a little chat in the process.

So I guess my experiences have been mainly positive. Perhaps I've just been lucky. But then again I am white and middle class so I don't fit the stereotype of a criminal...

[rydeboyz]

When I was taking photos of flowers at work the other day I was stopped by an old woman.. She asked "Is that your job?" so I explained that it's just something I'm getting into so she replied "You shouldn't be wasting it on them flowers, you should be taking pictures of young girls!"

[senu]

Despite my experience stated above , I have really not been stopped too and had reasonably positive experiences but I am more wary than I used to be

Off point: I guess wary is not a bad way to be. A few years ago I was in a car In Southern California taking pictures , and a Cop came up to me , .. as it happened, for a chat. He had just got a Canon 20D for himself and his son ( : Son was a budding astronomer)
His advice was that I be careful in public not to shoot "strangers" as there had been random shootings in the Los Angeles area of folk with cameras
Someone had inadvertently taken a photograph of a mafia don and his goons were out for blood as he had a contract out on him
I think Stop and search by Plod compared to this is.. preferable

[denno75uk]

Originally Posted by electrolyte

So most times since then whenever I am out with my camera and tripod I usually get a member of joe public stopping to chat with me. They usually ask "are you a pro" or "is this your job" etc and don't really seem to understand when I reply that this is just my hobby! But they usually only too happy to have a look at my LCD screen to see what shots I've taken and to have a little chat in the process.

So I guess my experiences have been mainly positive. Perhaps I've just been lucky. But then again I am white and middle class so I don't fit the stereotype of a criminal...

It's so good to read something like this at the moment. We need a bit more of these positive stories I think. Especially with so many negative experiences making it on to the forum recently. It's how the tabloids work isn't it, only reporting the negative crap (I'm thinking crime, immigration etc.). I accept that it's the world we live in but we need balance so thanks electrolyte for providing some.

Originally Posted by rydeboyz

When I was taking photos of flowers at work the other day I was stopped by an old woman.. She asked "Is that your job?" so I explained that it's just something I'm getting into so she replied "You shouldn't be wasting it on them flowers, you should be taking pictures of young girls!"

From the sublime to the ridiculous. But again, good to read something like this. Bless her and her beautiful, beautiful innocence in this cynical world of ours.

[IAN P]

Originally Posted by senu

I have not been stopped TBH but I have had a "concerned member of public" contact the police as I was seen with a camcorder on a public road. ( My road as it happens) 1/4 of a mile from a school.

They then came to my house.. and spent an hour being obnoxious even when I had been 100% cooperative and very clearly established that the "lady" was merely being fanciful
It was clearly disappointing to them that I was who I said I was, and all was above board.
I find it rather worrying that the Police feel the need to prove that stereotyping and profiling is an exact science and feel "unfulfilled" when "suspects" check out clean..

This is disgraceful,why did they spend an hour at your house?This nosy sod who grassed you up,i bet they're on the phone every frickin' day complaining about nowt in particular.And i bet they didn't apologise for wasting your time.

[senu]

Originally Posted by IAN P

This is disgraceful,why did they spend an hour at your house?This nosy sod who grassed you up,i bet they're on the phone every frickin' day complaining about nowt in particular.And i bet they didn't apologise for wasting your time.

Absolutely not.. that is Plod for you. They still have my tape saying 5 seconds of the Heathrow skyline taken from my bedroom could be " breaking the law" or handy to "terrorists" (implying I might know 1 or 2)
I know its a load of rubbish but I have more to do with my time than chasing after it. One thing is certain. The Police get it wrong more than a few times and seldom have the grace to actually apologise

[IAN P]

The airport stuff is farcical,i work at an airport and even the company i work for cannot use a camcorder airside,to shoot health and safety vids and the like.The airport authority can only do it,joke i know.99% of staff carry mobiles,there's nothing stopping them from snapping all the security features,aircraft etc,and your good self gets 5 seconds confiscated.

[sinizterguy]

Originally Posted by jenufa

Well done does your village know you are missing

I dont think so, I'll just go back there and ask someone if they did miss me.

[senu]

Originally Posted by IAN P

The airport stuff is farcical,i work at an airport and even the company i work for cannot use a camcorder airside,to shoot health and safety vids and the like.The airport authority can only do it,joke i know.99% of staff carry mobiles,there's nothing stopping them from snapping all the security features,aircraft etc,and your good self gets 5 seconds confiscated.

From 5 miles away in Hillingdon too.
Ironically, I have taken Still Photographs of Planes on the Bath road during which Police did not bother me about

[richard plumb]

Originally Posted by IAN P

The airport stuff is farcical,i work at an airport and even the company i work for cannot use a camcorder airside,to shoot health and safety vids and the like.The airport authority can only do it,joke i know.99% of staff carry mobiles,there's nothing stopping them from snapping all the security features,aircraft etc,and your good self gets 5 seconds confiscated.

especially for Terminal 5, where their website gives you pretty detailed diagrams and walkthroughs of the layout...

[mwjdavies]

I got stopped a couple of years ago when at canary wharf, was out walking with my camera and my nan!!!!

We didnt exactly look like your common every day terroists.

Such is life, I got most of pics I wanted by then anyway.

[jenufa]

Originally Posted by denno75uk

It's so good to read something like this at the moment. We need a bit more of these positive stories I think. Especially with so many negative experiences making it on to the forum recently. It's how the tabloids work isn't it, only reporting the negative crap (I'm thinking crime, immigration etc.). I accept that it's the world we live in but we need balance so thanks electrolyte for providing some.

This is why I started the thread. We do need a balance which you rightly state and I also would like to thank electrolyte for sharing.

[bodoman]

I have been stopped many times in London and other places, but i never considered it as being stopped or worth mentioning before as to me it is what i would expect and nothing out of the ordinary.
My job Entails measuring up buildings to prepare tenders to provide scaffolding to them and i always photograph the buildings as a record, which saves a lot of time writing down details.

I have over the years surveyed hundreds of building in London, some of them could be deemed sensitive, and to be honest i must look suspicious, taking photos of buildings that are not photogenic, crouched down on the ground with a lazer measurer etc.

Wherever possible i always go into the buildings and speak to the reception, security or even just a janitor and let them know who i am and what i am doing and show them my business card and any tender documents i have.
I have always been treated with respect and every one has been very helpful and friendly.

I have been approached many times by the police and usually explain to them what i am doing before they ask and every encounter has been proffessional and friendly, once while photographing the the main Inland Revenue building in London i was approached by 2 rough looking guys and thought i was going to be mugged, but they were not from your normal police
and showed me their warrant cards, once again no problems at all.

So all in all in my experiences the police were just doing what they are supposed to do and done it well.

Mind you have not bumped into any pco,s yet

[senu]

Up till recently, I would have said that too.

However 2 things

• Stereotyping:Profiling: Race, Sex and perception of social class by Security . Law enforcement Agents
• Terrorist "fears"

are more recent in the Police repertoire and are being used with less restraint.

Apart from my fairly traumatising experience, I have also really not been stopped too and I wouldnt count Polite enquires ( which are not totally unexpected). I do take images ( and video) in Public now and again and mainly get friendly enquiring looks and even folk who offer to pose so it isnt that bad
but
It is the PCOS and some Jobsworths who seem to be on a mission. Sadly one encounter with them is all it takes to get less relaxed

[mij]

I have been regularly photographing around London for a few years and have never been stopped/questioned by anyone.

I was at Westminster/ Waterloo Eye/Tate Modern/Tower Of London and other places yesterday, and not one problem.

Hopefully it is not just luck.

[pjclark1]

Originally Posted by senu

They then came to my house.. and spent an hour being obnoxious even when I had been 100% cooperative and very clearly established that the "lady" was merely being fanciful

Don't let them in without a search warrant. They are much quicker when on the doorstep.
doorbell rings, opens door
policeman "I hear you have been using a camera with intent"
you "do you have a search warrant"
policeman "no"
you "goodbye", shuts door.

[the id]

Stopped in Cardiff city centre trying to take various shots of buildings and people, simple street photography!
2006 - 2 times. No pink slips
2007 - 5 times. Received 2 pink slips
2008 - 8 times. Received 3 pink slips so far

Thought after being stopped so many times it would be obvious I'm not up to no good but just trying to take part in a hobby I love...sigh...must be the way I look (nickname - Lurkio).

Been stopped and questioned by a mixture of police/security and public probably 20-30 times over the last 2 years, as can be seen from the Cardiff incidents it’s getting worse... I will continue until taking photographs in a public place becomes a criminal offence, unless of course I can do a job where I can be exempt...think I'll retrain and obtain qualifications in the future so I can become a member of the elite perhaps in name only.

War

[rydeboyz]

Maybe you were accidently photographing Torchwood HQ..

[WelshBluebird]

Originally Posted by the id

Stopped in Cardiff city centre trying to take various shots of buildings and people, simple street photography!
2006 - 2 times. No pink slips
2007 - 5 times. Received 2 pink slips
2008 - 8 times. Received 3 pink slips so far

Thought after being stopped so many times it would be obvious I'm not up to no good but just trying to take part in a hobby I love...sigh...must be the way I look (nickname - Lurkio).

Been stopped and questioned by a mixture of police/security and public probably 20-30 times over the last 2 years, as can be seen from the Cardiff incidents it’s getting worse... I will continue until taking photographs in a public place becomes a criminal offence, unless of course I can do a job where I can be exempt...think I'll retrain and obtain qualifications in the future so I can become a member of the elite perhaps in name only.

War

I may end up taking some random pictures down cardiff when I'm down there next weekend then lol. Just to wind the coppers up. Since they can't actually do anything, no harm

being serious - I probably won't. But I will be taking my camera (its a pretty old point and click one though, so its not going to get much attention) to cardiff next weekend, as I'm going to watch the football first, then I'm off to see simon amstell with a few friends.