This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7336740.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Police 'terror' swoop on BBC man Police 'terror' swoop on BBC man
(41 minutes later)
A BBC radio reporter was held to the ground and searched by police under the Terrorism Act after a bystander mistook his transmitter equipment for a bomb. A BBC radio reporter was held to the ground and searched by police under the Terrorism Act after his transmitter equipment was mistaken for a bomb.
Six officers forced BBC Radio Stoke's Max Khan to his knees and held him face down in the city on Monday.Six officers forced BBC Radio Stoke's Max Khan to his knees and held him face down in the city on Monday.
Police were told an "Arabic-looking man was acting suspiciously" outside the Potteries Shopping Centre, he said. Police were told an "Arabic-looking man was acting suspiciously" outside a shopping centre, Mr Khan said.
Mr Khan was wearing a backpack with protruding wires and aerials. Staffordshire Police has apologised. He was wearing a backpack with protruding wires and aerials. Staffordshire Police has apologised.
Mr Khan's backpack contained equipment that is regularly used to allow reporters to broadcast from locations around the city centre.Mr Khan's backpack contained equipment that is regularly used to allow reporters to broadcast from locations around the city centre.
'Necessary action' He was outside the Potteries Shopping Centre in Hanley on his way back from a story about the recently-moved Post Office.
He was outside the shopping centre in Hanley on his way back from a story about the recently-moved Post Office.
He said the officers came at him from several directions at about 1100 BST and shouted for him "get down on the floor".He said the officers came at him from several directions at about 1100 BST and shouted for him "get down on the floor".
You get the apologies at the scene from officers, but you still feel that maybe there could have been better intelligence or something Max Khan, BBC Radio Stoke reporter
He was given a stop-search notice describing him as having a dark beard and dark hair.He was given a stop-search notice describing him as having a dark beard and dark hair.
He said his initial reaction was "embarrassment and the humiliation of being treated that way, when you've done nothing wrong".
He added: "I think it then moved on to fear of what could have happened and a bit of anger as well.
"You get the apologies at the scene from officers, but you still feel that maybe there could have been better intelligence or something.
"It seems somewhat basic to be treated in that way just because of the colour of your skin."
'Necessary action'
Ch Supt Jane Sawyers said a report had been received of a "suspicious" man with "a large backpack" with "wires or aerials" protruding from it.Ch Supt Jane Sawyers said a report had been received of a "suspicious" man with "a large backpack" with "wires or aerials" protruding from it.
She said: "Our first duty in cases like this is the safety of the public, the person and our officers, and presented with this limited information local officers immediately responded and positively acted to ensure everyone's safety.She said: "Our first duty in cases like this is the safety of the public, the person and our officers, and presented with this limited information local officers immediately responded and positively acted to ensure everyone's safety.
"I want to apologise to the man involved in the incident for any distress caused but the action taken was necessary."I want to apologise to the man involved in the incident for any distress caused but the action taken was necessary.
"I am pleased with the positive and professional way the officers dealt with the incident.""I am pleased with the positive and professional way the officers dealt with the incident."