(Credit: Andy Rain/EPA)
London security guards in the city's financial district have been instructed by police to report people taking photos.
The Guardian obtained a document under the UK's Freedom of Information Act in which the City of London police advise security guards to report anyone engaged in "suspicious behaviour". The move comes after many photographers engaging in legitimate work were stopped, questioned and searched by police under Section 44 of the country's Terrorism Act. These incidents took place at the end of 2009.
Even bystanders using camera phones and artists producing sketches are potential targets, according to the document, with one statement claiming that "the person you think is a legitimate tourist may be somebody else!".
In January 2010, the European court of human rights ruled that the stop and search element of Section 44 was illegal.
Have you experienced any incidents of Australian photographers being stopped by security guards or police for taking photographs? Let us know below.
Add Your Comment