wgerrard
Veteran
Amateur Photographer reports (http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/police_photographers_should_carry_identification_news_292902.html?aff=rss ) that UK police have told them photographers should carry ID's in case they are confronted by police in London.
It's unclear if the police are talking about a drivers license or passport, or some sort of ID linking the holder to photography. But, the advice seems especially inane. How many people walking about London do so without some sort of ID in their pockets?
However, the police apparently continue to see some connection between photography and terrorism. Since photography is perfectly legal, perhaps the police should take a look at the threat from people engaged in other legal activities, like riding the Tube and using cellphones. After all, terrorists have been seen doing those things, too.
Photos of something in clear public view deliver little or no added value to a would-be terrorist. Police should spend their time looking for people, for example, taking closeup shots of power and water delivery systems, or strolling around Heathrow looking for breaks in the fence.
i hope an MP in the UK raises this issue at PM's Question Time. UK citizens need to know why carrying a camera brings them under suspicion.
It's unclear if the police are talking about a drivers license or passport, or some sort of ID linking the holder to photography. But, the advice seems especially inane. How many people walking about London do so without some sort of ID in their pockets?
However, the police apparently continue to see some connection between photography and terrorism. Since photography is perfectly legal, perhaps the police should take a look at the threat from people engaged in other legal activities, like riding the Tube and using cellphones. After all, terrorists have been seen doing those things, too.
Photos of something in clear public view deliver little or no added value to a would-be terrorist. Police should spend their time looking for people, for example, taking closeup shots of power and water delivery systems, or strolling around Heathrow looking for breaks in the fence.
i hope an MP in the UK raises this issue at PM's Question Time. UK citizens need to know why carrying a camera brings them under suspicion.