Location Transport

was i right to just let them do their checks (filming in a public place)?

hi,..thanks for reading. well, I had my new camera some few days now, and as my car was off the road due to an accident, i was walking around lots taking pictures and video film of my local area. during this time, i also took pictures of london buses, and trains just to capture moving vehicles to get used to the cameras workings. i was stopped in a different place, on a main road, by a PCSO who took my details and also called for assistance as he was not so sure, and they attended and took a look at the camera pics and footage. now i had no issue, but was advised that cos these places such as the train station was in them etc, they had grounds on section 44 to look further, and do a few checks which they did, and nothing came back. i was sent on my way some 40 minutes later. i gave them identification at the time and tried to be helpful, and explained myself and they were ok with that. did i do the right thing?. i mean just cos there were pictures of the transport network, i told them, and they got concerned. i just wanted to get on my way, and thought if i argue, they would maybe arrest me under section 44 with all those bus and trains pictures. thank you. all i was doing was playing with my new camera. lol.. thanks. are the police allowed to look at your camera if they ask you to see whats on it?. i did show them. thanks.

Public Comments

1. Yes, they are allowed. That is their job. They are police.
2. no they are not. please look at my link. it tells all you need to know. there is a bust card there too that you can print off to carry with you. i carry one all the time. it should be shown to the police to tell them the law because they obviously dont know it. http://photographernotaterrorist.org/events/ edit. .eu dicatorship. i love that clip. i love the way those gits slunk away with their tail between their legs. without any apology at all. the slugs.
3. About 3 years ago these checks happened very often, and at that time a lot of photographers complained and an MP submitted a motion to clarify the law, the Home Office reply was - "There is no legal restriction on photography in public places, and there is no presumption of privacy for individuals in a public place. It is for the Chief Constable to ensure that Officers and Public Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are acting appropriately with regards to photography in public places. Any queries regarding this should be addressed to the Chief Constable" you did best by cooperating, it could have taken all day if they took you back to the station
4. Watch this small clip it explains how to deal with them in future. http://www.youtube.com/user/thepublicdefender#p/u/39/3dLf57DrAsk edit: kati. They didn't even have the decency to apologise for trespassing. "This is not communist China" lol