Long arm of the law out to terrorise photographers
Friday 11 December 2009
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EmailI wholeheartedly support Lid Dem frontbencher David Heath in his attack on police officers who are stopping ordinary citizens from taking photographs in public places, particularly landmarks in the capital (M Star December 10).
But I have to add to this debate by saying that this ridiculous and disgraceful policy is nothing new.
Back in 1986, I was approached by two - yes two - police vans in Leicester while I was photographing the facade of the old Empire Theatre in Wharf Street, now sadly demolished.
At the time the theatre building was a car sales room and the police officer who stopped me said I should have asked for permission from the present owners.
I told him that his argument was nonsense and responded by saying: "Do you think everybody who photographs Buckingham Palace phones up the Queen first?"
He had no answer, because there wasn't one.
Surely the police have better things to occupy their time with than making innocent people stand there and delete images from their cameras, phones etc.
It's my guess that if you asked an officer in private, he or she would think so too.
Tony Shelley Leicester
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