Photographers can expect to be stopped and quizzed by police if
they are seen taking pictures of officers, according to guidance
published by London's Metropolitan Police.
The advice, which the Met issued on its website in response to 'regular debate' surrounding photography in public, states: 'It should ordinarily be considered inappropriate to use Section 58a [Section 76 of the Terrorism Act 2008] to arrest people photographing police officers in the course of normal policing activities, including protests, as without more, there is no link to terrorism.'
It adds: 'There is, however, nothing preventing officers asking questions of an individual who appears to be taking photographs of someone who is or has been a member of Her Majesty's Forces, Intelligence Services or a constable.'
The Met says that any officer 'making an arrest' under Section 58a must be able to demonstrate 'a reasonable suspicion that the information was of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism'.
The advice also states that police have 'the power to view digital images contained in mobile telephones or cameras' carried by a person searched under Section 44 or Section 43 of the Terrorism Act.
The advice, which the Met issued on its website in response to 'regular debate' surrounding photography in public, states: 'It should ordinarily be considered inappropriate to use Section 58a [Section 76 of the Terrorism Act 2008] to arrest people photographing police officers in the course of normal policing activities, including protests, as without more, there is no link to terrorism.'
It adds: 'There is, however, nothing preventing officers asking questions of an individual who appears to be taking photographs of someone who is or has been a member of Her Majesty's Forces, Intelligence Services or a constable.'
The Met says that any officer 'making an arrest' under Section 58a must be able to demonstrate 'a reasonable suspicion that the information was of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism'.
The advice also states that police have 'the power to view digital images contained in mobile telephones or cameras' carried by a person searched under Section 44 or Section 43 of the Terrorism Act.
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