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/uk/8476318.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Photographers' terror law protest | Photographers' terror law protest |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Professional and amateur photographers are planning to gather in London's Trafalgar Square later to protest against terror stops and searches. | Professional and amateur photographers are planning to gather in London's Trafalgar Square later to protest against terror stops and searches. |
| The photographers say police are intimidating people with cameras in tactics to target possible terrorists. | The photographers say police are intimidating people with cameras in tactics to target possible terrorists. |
| Last week the European Court of Human Rights ruled the power to stop people without suspicion was indiscriminate. | Last week the European Court of Human Rights ruled the power to stop people without suspicion was indiscriminate. |
| The government is appealing - saying it is vital to make cities a hostile place for any possible attacker. | The government is appealing - saying it is vital to make cities a hostile place for any possible attacker. |
| The demonstration comes after a year of rising tensions between professional photographers and police over the exact scope of Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. | The demonstration comes after a year of rising tensions between professional photographers and police over the exact scope of Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. |
| Stories of photographers being stopped for taking pictures have become a regular feature BBC News website picture editor Phil Coomes Viewfinder: BBC photojournalism blog | Stories of photographers being stopped for taking pictures have become a regular feature BBC News website picture editor Phil Coomes Viewfinder: BBC photojournalism blog |
| This special stop and search power allows police in specifically designated areas to stop people without suspicion of wrongdoing in an attempt to make it difficult for potential attackers to move around. | This special stop and search power allows police in specifically designated areas to stop people without suspicion of wrongdoing in an attempt to make it difficult for potential attackers to move around. |
| It is used in some key areas of London and other cities or airports where counter-terrorism officers suspect that violent extremists may be looking for targets. According to the latest available figures, some 36,000 people were stopped under the power between April and June last year. | It is used in some key areas of London and other cities or airports where counter-terrorism officers suspect that violent extremists may be looking for targets. According to the latest available figures, some 36,000 people were stopped under the power between April and June last year. |
| But photographers say the practical effect has been that increasing numbers of people with cameras are being left intimidated, angry and afraid after being asked to account for their actions. | But photographers say the practical effect has been that increasing numbers of people with cameras are being left intimidated, angry and afraid after being asked to account for their actions. |
| A series of controversial stops over the past year have included photographers being stopped while taking pictures of landmarks and public buildings. | A series of controversial stops over the past year have included photographers being stopped while taking pictures of landmarks and public buildings. |
| A separate counter-terrorism law, which in theory restricts the rights to photograph police officers, has added to the tensions. | A separate counter-terrorism law, which in theory restricts the rights to photograph police officers, has added to the tensions. |
| Advice to officers | Advice to officers |
| Shortly before Christmas, Assistant Commissioner John Yates, the head of counter-terrorism at the Metropolitan Police, warned officers they risked losing public confidence if they did not use the Section 44 powers sensibly. | Shortly before Christmas, Assistant Commissioner John Yates, the head of counter-terrorism at the Metropolitan Police, warned officers they risked losing public confidence if they did not use the Section 44 powers sensibly. |
| In my view, section 44 is being used far too often on a random basis without any reasoning behind its use Lord Carlile, the government's independent reviewer of anti-terrorist legislation Stop-and-search use ruled illegal | In my view, section 44 is being used far too often on a random basis without any reasoning behind its use Lord Carlile, the government's independent reviewer of anti-terrorist legislation Stop-and-search use ruled illegal |
| But last week the European Court of Human Rights ruled the entire law was illegal because it was indiscriminate rather than properly targeted at the threat. | But last week the European Court of Human Rights ruled the entire law was illegal because it was indiscriminate rather than properly targeted at the threat. |
| The government is appealing against that ruling and the power remains in force in the meantime. | The government is appealing against that ruling and the power remains in force in the meantime. |
| Marc Vallee, one of the photographers who has organised the protest in London, said there would be neither marches nor speakers - just people declaring that the law had gone too far. | Marc Vallee, one of the photographers who has organised the protest in London, said there would be neither marches nor speakers - just people declaring that the law had gone too far. |
| "Photographers will be exercising their common law right to take a picture in a public place - and they will be doing it collectively." | "Photographers will be exercising their common law right to take a picture in a public place - and they will be doing it collectively." |
| "People are fed up about being stopped and they want to challenge a culture that sees photographers as a threat." | "People are fed up about being stopped and they want to challenge a culture that sees photographers as a threat." |
| Chief Constable Craig Mackey, the Association of Chief Police Officers' spokesman on stop and search, said: "ACPO has stated previously that everyone - photographers, members of the media and the general public - has a right to take photographs and film in public places. That has not changed. | Chief Constable Craig Mackey, the Association of Chief Police Officers' spokesman on stop and search, said: "ACPO has stated previously that everyone - photographers, members of the media and the general public - has a right to take photographs and film in public places. That has not changed. |
| "It is the job of police officers out on the beat to be vigilant, to keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour and to act accordingly. | "It is the job of police officers out on the beat to be vigilant, to keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour and to act accordingly. |
| "And there is no doubt that every day their vigilance stops crime. Used correctly, stop and search is a powerful tool that can help protect all our communities from terrorism. Protecting the public remains our priority." | "And there is no doubt that every day their vigilance stops crime. Used correctly, stop and search is a powerful tool that can help protect all our communities from terrorism. Protecting the public remains our priority." |
| Have you been stopped by the police in London while taking photos? Do you think the police are right to check? Are you planning to attend the protest in Trafalgar Square? | |
| Send us your comments using the form at the bottom. | |
| Send your pictures of the demonstration to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. | |
| Read the terms and conditions | |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |