Did you know that according to Section 76 of the Counter Terrorism Act it is illegal to photograph police officers in the UK? Anyone found “eliciting, publishing or communicating information about members of armed forces which is of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism” is committing a criminal offence. The “members of the armed forces” also include intelligence services and police officers. Interestingly this act does not apply to Community Support Officers (PCSO) as they are not constables.
If caught infringing this law, you could face a fine or a prison sentence of up to 10 years, if a link to terrorism is proved. However, what is the government doing to make sure that this new legislation is only used when required?
It seems like the rules of when to apply this law is blurred. According to the Home Office, legitimate journalistic activities or pictures taken by tourists should not be considered as a crime. Yet in June 2010, a young freelance photojournalist was threatened by police officers whilst taking pictures during an Armed Forces Day parade. The journalist was then escorted away from the parade and detained until the parade passed.
It is believed that the new legislation protects the identities of some police officers but only those working undercover or in instances where an officer genuinely believes a photographer is collecting data for terrorist purposes.
In Glasgow, a father was ordered by a security guard to delete pictures he took of his daughter in a shopping centre. Police officers arriving on the scene claimed that, under the Counter Terrorism Act, it was within their rights to confiscate the mobile phone on which the photos were taken.
I am wondering whether the real issues in cases reported so far stem from police officers abusing the system in their favour. However it could simply be that the law is too vague or not understood properly. In any case, it feels like handing a loaded gun to a police officer, no pun intended.
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