Photographers ready to snap over new laws
Angry snappers are expected to descend on Canary Wharf as part of a nationwide protest over "draconian" restrictions on photography.
Professionals and amateurs will gather in Reuters Plaza at 3pm on September 12 to demonstrate against the checks imposed by anti-terrorism legislation and private security.
The "flash mob" is being organised by new campaign group I'm A Photographer, Not A Terrorist, which is frustrated at the "unreasonable" limitations in "pseudo-public spaces" such as Canary Wharf, and the misuse of new police powers.
British Press Photographers' Association chairman Jeff Moore said: "It's not just affecting professionals. It's anyone with a camera.
"It could be people taking pictures of their kids outside Buckingham Palace. The point of this campaign is to let people know their rights."
Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 allows police to stop and search anyone in a specific area, while Section 76 of the Counter Terrorism Act could spell a prison term of up to 10 years for anyone taking a picture of police, armed forces or intelligence services.
Freelancer Jess Hurd has covered social and political events such as the G20, climate camp and the anti-capitalist demonstration in Canary Wharf last Halloween.
She said: "If the police need to stop a potential terrorist, they should be able to do so. It's the misuse of this legislation, and its application by police where problems emerge.
"At G20 this law was used to clear an area of journalists for half an hour. I was stopped and searched four times at climate camp and then was filmed covertly through a cafe window. At the Halloween protest, I was pushed and had a hand clasped over my lens."
Campaign members are also concerned about the restrictions put in place in private areas such as Canary Wharf, which requires professional photographers to apply for a permit.
Ms Hurd said: "Although they may seem to be public spaces, they aren't. If something kicks off, we can be told to leave."
The campaign has drawn up a special "bust card" detailing the legal rights of photographers, and is considering other actions across the country.
She said: "We're hoping to challenge the situation as we simply don't think it's acceptable."
A spokesman for Canary Wharf Group said: "We are happy to have tourist, student and amateur photographers outdoors on the Canary Wharf estate, providing they aren't causing disruption or doing anything that is unsafe.
"Student photographers should bring with them a student ID and letter from their place of education explaining their project.
"We are also happy to have professional photography on the estate, but ask photographers to apply for permission in advance from the Canary Wharf Group. This is primarily because of safety and insurance reasons. As the estate is privately owned, we have a responsibility to ensure that any work, including photography, is safe and minimises disruption.
"If in doubt, photographers can contact the press office on 020 7418 2326 or visit www.canarywharf.com."
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Perhaps Canary Wharf security should better apprise their rather scruffy staff on the ground of the criteria mentioned above, as they frequently appear to be unaware of what the rules actually are and seem to make them up as they go along. Possessing a camera/lens combination above a certain size seems to convince them you are a professional, and no amount of protestation to the contrary will change their mind, and you are told to cease taking pictures or leave.
Worse are the security staff for the individual buildings for whom your image on their all-seeing CCTV is sufficient evidence of some wrongdoing. They are invariably quite rude in telling you to desist and occasionally threatening and intimidatory in manner.
I doubt I'm the only one who gives the place a wide berth these days for anything other than a business meeting.
I agree with Mark - not so long ago I got stopped by Bank of America staff being told 'You are not allowed to take photographs on Canary Wharf - the owners do not allow it'.
My photo of their building was rubbish anyway, as it happened.
The world has gone mad! Innocent tourists taking souvenir snaps would not be aware of these draconian 'rules' and it is not good for tourism when they get harrassed by the security guards.
I got stopped taking photos of the christmas decorations in Bristol's new shopping centre, Cabot Circus. The excuse was given that "someone's child might be in the photo and I could be branded as a paedofile"!!!!
I also understand that on some railway stations, train spotters have been stopped taking photos of trains. I also had a security guard chase after me at Bristol Airport when I took a photo of my wife boarding the plane for our holiday. I was asked to delete the image, which I refused and stood my ground pointing out that I could have taken the same photo through the terminal building's window!
If anyone had any ill intent, they would take any photos with a digital micro camera used by spies that wouldn't even be seen by any security guards or CCTV! Where will it end?
I was harrassed in a grocery store in Alba Iulia Romania. Asked to delete pictures of the meat case...Just a few innocent snaps with my iphone....I erased one image of the 5 I had taken and security went away...By going away I mean following me for the next 40 minutes while my wife and I carried on grocery shopping.....Ridiculous....the store was Kaufland if you're interested...