http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7351252.stm

What has the world come to ?
Please tell me ?
Ok , I've been in numerous trouble for taking photo's , Here's a few from the archives:

A Drunk Being Cautioned , At all time's the officer knew I was there & just kept smiling at the state of the poor woman , Concentrating on his job:

Until the Main guy's turned up to apprehended her , They didn't like me being there

Crash:

Multiple time's I was warned to put away camera .........
But there's on particualr officer who got very irate & tried forcefully to remove camera , He was reported to head office with his number:

Yet there was a huge crowd with mobile phone's happily snapping away with no bother

Eh this country (Uk) is really invading are right's to freedom

Uk Photographer's Rights:

www.sirimo.co.uk/ukpr.php

Theres a discussion about this on another forum that i use..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photodrift/2422740769/

A couple of weeks ago, I was followed and then halted by two police officers while walking alongside a railroad with my camera. They asked what I was doing there, what I was taking pictures of, then asked for my ID and address. When I asked them for the reason, they said that there had been burglaries in several houses in the area. And the fact that I was there with a camera made me a suspect...
I wonder, since when is wearing a camera in any way connected or linked to burglary, robbery or anything in that category..?

Fortunately, after the checkup (I must say everything happened correctly), they let me continue on my way. Still it makes you think, doesn't it..?...

I know one of the first incidents that started all of this was in Hull, East Yorkshire, England where I happen to live, also I have just learned that someone else in Hull as also had problems taking photos near the railway station, it is though just either over zealous coppers or security guards in Hull that is our problem.

Plus the fact Humberside Police seem to make up their own laws.

Being in the Uk myself the CSO tend to have to much time on there hand's & will book anybody for the slightest offence.
 Train station's unfortunately are a very bad place to take photo's due to the current state of society , I was recently apprehended for taking photo's at a Bus Station , ah well I still have the pic's if anybodys intrested.
 Damn authority , Sorry I feel very strongly about this subject,
 Peace!

I think it is fine... as long as they dont make you miss "that shot", are courteous, and know what is and isnt allowed, they are only doing their job in enquiring (just think of the stick they get if it turns out the one they didnt go up to question was actually a terrorist and on a reccy mission).  Once they overstep that mark and violate your right to take a photo then i would object. But generally (probably because i havent experienced it yet) i think it is a good thing they are actually being alert to the possibility.

Remember if you are stopped to ask to take their photo - get your candid street portraiture mindset going and a great addition to your portfolio! :biggrin:

Quote - Being in the Uk myself the CSO tend to have to much time on there hand's & will book anybody for the slightest offence.
 Train station's unfortunately are a very bad place to take photo's due to the current state of society , I was recently apprehended for taking photo's at a Bus Station , ah well I still have the pic's if anybodys intrested.
 Damn authority , Sorry I feel very strongly about this subject,
 Peace!

I think if PCSO's or those who give them their briefings need to get their priorties right and spend more time saving lives (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/21/ndrown221.xml) rather then stopping people about their lawful business

I just generaly tell them there is no film in the camera, half of them are that dense as to not realize it's digital :)

Thanks for bringing this to my attention gradient. I hadn't realised it had become so hazardous for photographers here in the UK. Like inshaala , I can appreciate that in certain areas and situations that we as photographers find photogenic ( e.g. transportation, power supply, defence, large crowds, tall buildings, etc) the police are only being precautious in performing their duty.  Although, I would agree that both parties  should be fully aware of a photographer's rights, both be civil and courteous, and not be heavy handed or threatening in their approach to each other.  I guess there would also be some sort of complaints procedure, should an officer overstep the mark.  Anyway, thanks again, I'll maybe go and request permission beforehand in certain situations and save myself some grief in future.