Another staggering example of the ignorance of police, they accused this person of using a camera in an anti social manner..
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2010/feb/21/police-arrest-photographer

"...they said the way he was positioning his camera could have been construed as anti-social" ... what? not by the looks of the shots they showed... ridiculous..

I am wondering if anyone from the site here was in London a few weeks back for that massive protest of photographers fed up with this very issue... thousands turned out to voice the concern I'm sure a lot of us have, but seems despite nation-wide news coverage that the protest fell on deaf ears.

From talking to friends around the world I understand it has now become international news how pissed off we all are in the UK at the erosion of our privacy... and in this clip (in spite of their politeness) was a prime example of the typical choice of the inexperienced officers to pick on the easier (polite, law abiding) targets. I feel rather sick.

This video has only just surfaced and relates to events around Xmas before the mass protest.
And I agree the treatment was dreadful.

 If i have to do any street photography I will carry a copy of the rules and also wear my bright safety tabard . This way I cannot be accused of lurking around sneaking photos so that under anti terrorist laws the police would be a laughing stock if they arrested me. Also i would provide my address in the form of my business card because I never pass up a chance to network ! Certainly I have a choice about giving my name and address, however in my opinion I would rather avoid giving any PC an excuse to mess me about.

In Autumn last year I had an hour to spare in Inverness and pointed my camera all over in full view of the huge network of security cameras and also included police cars. traffic wardens etc with my zoom. I was never asked by any PC what i was doing, and two walked past me.

And remember,  when stood on private property you need permission to photograph people but when on public rights of way you can snap away.

Attached Link: http://1x.com/discussions/18074/i-was-arrested-today-for-street-photography/

"...they said the way he was positioning his camera could have been construed as anti-social"

That reninds me of this old TV sketch ....
http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2007/ntnon-constable-savage-p1.php

Maybe we should all write in to our local police stations and ask them what is the legal way to hold a "proper" camera, because they only seem to pick on people with cameras never mobiles :)

Joking apart though, it's just plain wrong.

Garlor, you must be fortunate enough to "look right" ;)

Great video mrsparky, haven't seen it before and it brought a smile, classic Atkinson!

WEll I think I look eccentric most of the time, I do tend to stand out and avoid blending in !

"Hmm I'll covertly take some pictures of the city center. Let's see how do I can do that so noone notices. I yeah.. I'll take my bigass SLR!"

I'm still puzzled as to how you can look "anti-social" while taking a picture. To me (as a non UK person) it seems that the rules which allow them to ask for your credentials are far to vague, so anything upwards of "I don't like your face" will do apparently. Makes me wonder when the movie "V for Vendetta" becomes a reality.

If you have a cover story ready then you will have less problems with nosey people who ask questions when out with your camera. The more common ones I use are..

I am making a detailed study of Scottish town/city development for a book.
 
I am looking at the distribution of Turdus Turdus(Starling) which is notable for its ability to utilise higher temperatures in built up areas and flocking desires.

I am collecting location details for a potential film project which is confidential.

I am making a survey of foot traffic in realation to future development.Also confidential.

By being specific instead of saying its my hobby or job I find that people often loose interest quickly because they dont want to waste my time especially i f i say I am working and dont have time to chat about a confidential matter. And i am not joking, several of my clients do not want me to discuss possible projects in public. Luckily when doing the aerial views no one is pestering me !

 I've taken quite a few street pictures over the years, but watching the video, this seems to be much more of  a setup of the police than an attack on the rights of the photographer.  I didn't find the photographer very helpful in explaining what he was doing and refusing to provide his name and address is what led to the arrest.  How difficult is it to be pleasant and provide your name and address?  I have been asked before about pictures that I was taking and took the time to explain what and why I was taking the photo and provided a business card or identification of who I was to the authorities that inquired, and have never had a problem.  Just my opinion.

The point is.. they have no business in asking you for your credentials UNLESS they have reasonable suspicion (if I understand UK law correctly). In other words, the fact that they're asking for your credentials means they suspect you are a criminal or are engaged in criminal activities. And that's what is bothering the photographer.

If he was covertly trying to take pictures with a cellphone or compact from behind some bushes , at least then I could understand the officer asking some questions. 

I think the words "UNLESS they have reasonable suspicion" are key, what is suspicion?  If a person is loitering by virtue of spending a considerable amount of time in the same area is that suspicious, whether taking photos or just standing around? I understand the point that is trying to be made, that the police have no right to ask what you are doing, and I believe that is a naive point to be making.

In today’s world if a person was in the same area for a considerable length of time I find that suspicious, the fact he/she has a camera is incidental. I think the police are just doing their job in a responsible manner to simply ask a person politely what their name is, I would certainly not be offended by that, however I found the behavior of the photographer rather suspicious myself.  Why not just say, I'm taking pictures with a new camera and my name is ______ and I live a few blocks away or am visiting this beautiful area, instead of asking, "are you detaining me".  

His constant asking if he was being detained was suspicious to me.  I don't think suspicious behavior is limited to covertly taking pictures. I have no doubt that had I responded the same way the photographer did I would have been locked up in a number of jails throughout the world.  Common sense and courtesy by any photographer goes a long way towards getting the picture you want verse being taken away.  Perhaps that is the difference between the amateur and professional. 

Common sense is sadly not common. I have seen a variety of these videos posted and they include very poor attitudes on the part of the uniformed lot. Once that happens it can be tricky not to get annoyed.  In this example it was understandable that the photog got annoyed and stuck to the rules as he understood them better than the uniform wearers.

He did ask repeaditly if he was being detained, yet the PC failed to provide an answer. You don't think there's anything weird about that? This shows the PC didn't really know what her options were or even what she was really doing.

Yes you should have respect for the law, but respect is a two way street. And just hanging around the same area taking pictures isn't suspicious to me.  Why would it. Have we really become that scared? If so, terrorists have already won. IMO the govt already has too much control under the guise of terrorism.

Fortunately over here I've never been stopped by police just because I was taking pictures.

As an Italian I find the debate a bit surreal. In Italy a person is a suspect by default, and in a court one has to demonstrate to be innocent, not the other way around. This said, it easier  not to provoke the cops and get in trouble (which means that you do as they say, even if they are worng, especially if they are wrong and in a foul temper) .
I took photos in places where pople might react in a hostile way, such as Northern ireland during the troubles, or in Latin America. Here I live in a street which has been nicknamed by the local media 'The 200 metres of Fear' (I bit exaggerated but it gives the idea). I took shots in the street of cops and pushers, not blatantly, but not sneakily. Being sneaky it's what makes one suspicious. However, having a good story ready is very important. Sometimes it's even better one almost true. It gives you even the chance to say: I'm taking a break and I'm willing to have a chat with you. To establish a friendly realtionships, to lower the level of anger, hostility and fear is imperative especially if the cop is raw.  It has always worked in my case: collaborative, easy-going and smiling (not too much lest they think your making fun of them, especially if it's true).
Ciao,
Sandra

Guilty until proven innocent? I didn't know that even existed anymore.. at least not in the so-called 'civilised west'.