The law is an ass.
So download our stop and search bust card, print it out and stick it in your wallet:
Right Click, Save As, Print.
About the card
The card concentrates mainly on your rights under s44 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which is widely used across the country against photographers. It allows the police and the Home Secretary to define any area in the country as well as a time period wherein they could stop and search any vehicle or person, and seize “articles of a kind which could be used in connection with terrorism” without first having grounds for suspecting the person is a terrorist or is carrying any articles that might be useful to a terrorist.
It also covers other laws under which photography may be restricted in the UK.
The Law
The card is not intended to be a substitute for full legal advice, it is simply an states your rights when stopped and searched. When dealing with the police there is always a balance between your rights – not telling them anything – and what might be advisable – telling them your name and explaining what your doing.
The card has been compiled by photographers with many years experience dealing with the police and stops and searches as well as legal advice from lawyer Anna Mazzola who specialises in public law, human rights, actions against the police and other detaining authorities.
For more in depth, but not quite wallet sized, discussion about photography and UK law check out the Photo-Forum Know Your Rights video
Used the card?
Have you used our card when being stopped and searched? Is there something you think we should add? let us know in the comments below
How about compiling your own database of places where photographers, professional and otherwise, have been stopped/hassled by the authorities. No names are required, just the location. Then produce a map showing the “hotspots” around the country. This could be useful in 2 ways: 1)Anyone wanting to avoid the hassle can then decide whether they want to risk photography in a hotspot. 2)Anyone wanting to organise a protest photoshoot can choose the nearest hotspot to protest in.
This is a great idea, I think there is a way of doing this with google maps. If so, could be good for iphone users.
You are probably guilty of an offence in trying to build up a map of hotspots. Obviously those are places considered to be of interest to potential terrorists.
I like the idea of protest photoshoots ….not only in London but around the UK.
I think one thing that could be improved on the card would be to explain, if possible, in exactly WHICH circumstances police can view pictures on a camera. At present it’s open to them to lie about that.
Unless you have been charged they do not have the right to see your pictures and they certainly do not have the right to delete them.
Hi All,
This is also a useful page to print out and keep in your bag, better still it is straight from the horses mouth! Harder for them to argue with on the scene!
http://www.met.police.uk/about/photography.htm
It might also answer Tony Green’s questions.
Regards,
James
I film quite a bit in central London, mostly comedy with a friend. Had one experience with a city of London copper in the summer, but I was sprawled across a side entrance of a large bank at the time. I think it was fair enough he asked us what we were doing even if anyone could tell my mate was acting in front of the camera (do terrorists do acting?). But given our response he let us continue with no hassles.
Am a bit worried as I intend to be in the city tomorrow, xmas day, filming; taking advantage of the emptiness.. If I get stopped I’ll refer them to this comment and let you know if I get hassled… Filming/photography must not be allowed to be criminalized in this country, so I’m glad to see this forum existing otherwise the prisons will be full of cameramen/women!
I like the idea of protest photoshoots ….not only in London but around the world
I also think that major railway stations should also be targeted by photographic flashmobs. Railway enthusiasts have shared the brunt of jobsworth railway employees stopping them photographing trains for goodness sake. Recently one railway jobsworth even tried to arrogantly stop hundreds of enthusiasts from taking photos of the new steam loco. Tornado newly arrived at Kings Cross.
You’re assuming that when you show this to the PCO he/she can actually read English.
good guzel site
[...] we’re on the subject, you might also want to grab the excellent ‘Bust Card‘ (pdf) that the group produce and keep a printed copy of it with you for when you find [...]
Today in Dorchester, Dorset, I approached two PCSOs and asked if they were interested in my taking photographs in the street. They said that if I did not upset anyone it was fine. Good enough.
They did not mention the risk of terrorism. I did.
They responded in what I considered a sensible and measured manner – just as I have heard some senior police officers suggest.
Make what you like of that but I was impressed – true professional behaviour.
does this rule apply in INDIA also, kindly let me know as am new to this field(photography)
I went backpacking last year and never had this problem taking photos especially in America, which is possibly one of the most paranoid country in the world. So if it’s not an issue there why is it such a problem in the UK?
I’ve had the misfortune of being stopped by security guards for taking photos in London, and from the outset I was treated like a criminal and told to move on even though I was on public property.
Wish I’d been a bit more confident and kicked up a fuss.
You didn’t have a problem in the US, because we still have our Bill of Rights, the first amendment states that the citizens have Freedom of Press, Freedom of Speech, etc. I daresay Obama will be in deep trouble if he tries to do away with our Constitution!
While the world has changed and terrorists pose a terrible risk to us all- Common sense must prevail!
Have saved this card, so thanks for that, no doubts ill get stopped by babylon when out on location with a beautiful model.
Rob Alexander Photography
Excellent initiative which I hope will grow to be worldwide. Congratulations to to everyone involved.
Beware of taking photos around London’s Docklands – We had a security goon order my friend and myself to stop taking photos last January, as it was “Private Property”.
We pointed out i) There were no signs saying it was private property, ii) There were no signs saying “No Photography” and iii) What was he going to do about the Japanese tourists taking photos at which point he realised he was outnumbered so stomped off to scare the living daylights out of a poor Japanese girl who barely spoke English!
Putting the funny side to one side, this demonstrates the mentality of what we’re all facing!
This is a good resource. An update regarding the ’section 76′ stuff would be useful though.
I can’t be at the gathering today but wish to support resistance to the police overstepping their powers.
Norman Smith
Is there an official petition setup which relates to this website?
From http://www.met.police.uk/about/photography.htm
“The Terrorism Act 2000 does NOT prohibit people from taking photographs or digital images in an area where an authority under section 44 is in place. ”
(ny capitals)
I notice the Bust Card says the poilice cannot view our pictures unless we have been arrested while the Metropolitan Police advice to their officer is that they can as long as you are not a professional.
Who is correct?
Had plenty of trouble from security guards!. None from police so far… But I’m working on it.
I take quite a lot of photographs on railway stations but have become wary and now avoid doing so if I see police or railway staff present. Also recently noticed an extreme lack of proper trainspotters on stations.
As Robin above: would like to know if police can look at your images if not professional. AND what constitutes professional?
I might become involved in documenting protests against the badger cull; the police have already been taking names and addresses of people handing out leaflets (in places where they have permission to have a stand) and visiting their homes…
If I wanted to know about public buildings would be much easier to go to google earth to start with…
I have been stopped 5 times this year! and twice surrounded. I am disabled which does not help the problem. I take photographs as a hobby or something to do whilst I travel from Hospital to hospital or doctors, I find it very disconcerting and frightening when you are being honest and just taking photographs, I am on high amounts of medication for my condition ( legal medication) and am drugged out sometimes – not feeling like the normal person! Frights like these, make my voice go into fright mode, cause shaking – as if I was guilty and probably sometimes look drugged out!
Any help with a Card I will use! thank you for this information! as I always give them all my details!!! and I am not sure what they do with them? Please continue the great work.
After an hour of hassle free taking pictures with camera on tripod opposite Westminster Parliament, I moved under the bridge east to take pictures of the London Eye. I was stopped and told this is private land, I could take pictures, but not with a tripod. Did not get an answer as to who owned the land between Westminster Bridge and the London Eye. But was told “professional” photography was not allowed = tripod use?