Last week the European Court ruled that Police powers to use terror laws to stop and search people without grounds for suspicion are illegal. Not just for photographers but for anyone BBC News - Stop-and-search powers ruled illegal by European court (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8453878.stm)

It probably won't be a good idea to quote this ruling when arguing the toss with a policeman or CSO at present as the UK Government is appealing against the ruling & Chief Constable Craig Mackey of the Association of Chief Police Officers said officers would continue to use stop and search powers while the appeal was pending.

There is a demonstration of professional and amateur photographers in Trafalgar Square, London today 23rd January to protest this issue. BBC News - Photographers protest over UK terror search laws (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8476318.stm)

And here's Sky News coverage of that event in Trafalgar Square - with short video report as well, which would indicate that their cameraman was not stopped/prevented from doing his job by the police today! It might have caused a riot if he was! :-)

Photographers Hold Protest In Trafalgar Square Over Stop And Search Action | UK News | Sky News (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Photographers-Hold-Protest-In-Trafalgar-Square-Over-Stop-And-Search-Action/Article/201001415534272?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15534272_Photographers_Hold_Protest_In_Trafalgar_Square_Over_Stop_And_Search_Action_)

The report on BBC Radio said that there were 3000 photographers demonstrating in Trafalgar Square.

That hotbed of activism Amateur Photographer magazine has a report with photos In pictures: Photographers turn out in force to fight anti terror law abuse (update 6.15pm) news - Amateur Photographer - news, camera reviews, lens reviews, camera equipment guides, photography courses, competitions, photography forums (http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/In_pictures_Photographers_turn_out_in_force_to_fight_anti_terror_law_abuse_update_615pm_news_294157. html)

At the bottom of this page AP also has a large collection of other stories of police abuse of their powers Photographers to storm Trafalgar Square in protest over terror laws news - Amateur Photographer - news, camera reviews, lens reviews, camera equipment guides, photography courses, competitions, photography forums (http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/Photographers_to_storm_Trafalgar_Square_in_protest_over_terror_laws_news_294116.html) I particularly liked the item about the ITN film crew who were shooting a piece on a guy photographing Wren churches who had previously fallen foul of a police stop & search who were themselves stopped by police in the City & told that filming was not allowed.

And here's a CNN article

Photographers protest UK terror law - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/01/23/photography.protest/index.html?hpt=Sbin)

I particularly liked the item about the ITN film crew who were shooting a piece on a guy photographing Wren churches who had previously fallen foul of a police stop & search who were themselves stopped by police in the City & told that filming was not allowed.

You realise, don't you, that telling people that the police have stopped someone interviewing someone who was stopped for taking pictures is probably a contravention of the aforementioned legislation. I'm not naming the legislation, because that in itself is possibly a breach, in that it's telling terrorists that we have legislation that may or may not be concerned with their actions, or intentions.

It gets more silly

Presenters quizzed over hairdryers - Yahoo! News UK (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20100126/tuk-presenters-quizzed-over-hairdryers-6323e80.html)

"I said 'And please put spangly blue hairdryer' and he was, like, 'All right'."

Hilarious. If this was in Australia, it would just about set off a new national sport!

Andrew

Of course, if it's raining you could use one of these on your camera as you take your pictures/video in public here in the UK. Guess what, you'll be in a nice warm, dry police station in no time!!!!

Hydrophobia rain cover promises to keep your DSLR dry, mysterious -- Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/hydrophobia-rain-cover-promises-to-keep-your-dslr-dry-mysteriou/)

Sorry, couldn't resist it! ;-)

haha - even on the engadget site there is a discussion about getting arrested for using this thing...

Arriving at Newcastle yesterday I was asked to stop filming the EastCoast (rebadged National Express) train I had just got off as it departed on its way to Kings Cross. The station employee did however encourage me to report to the Duty Manager to obtain a permit to continue filming. I did this was was told of the restrictions (no flash photography, no tripods, stay in designated publicly accessible areas). Armed with my pass, I was not challenged further when I returned in the afternoon to do a bit of filming and catch the train back.

It was not clear how I was expected to go back through the ticket barrier to return the permit to the office after filming my train arriving - I rather doubt it would have waited for me. So maybe I'll get an permit in advance the next time I'm filming at an unfamiliar station. I had forgotten that not all stations are run by Network Rail who are quite welcoming to anoraks like me - they have a page for railway nutters Network Rail - Railway Enthusiasts (http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/777.aspx) with helpful advice for avoiding problems.
Network Rail welcomes rail enthusiasts to our stations....
(SNIP)
Extra Eyes and Ears
If you see anything suspicious or notice any unusual behaviour or activities, please tell a member of staff immediately.

For emergencies and serious incidents, either call:

The British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40
The Police on 999.
Your presence at a station can be very helpful to us as extra "eyes and ears" and can have a positive security benefit.

Photography
You can take photographs at stations provided you do not sell them. However, you are not allowed to take photographs of security related equipment, such as CCTV cameras.

Flash photography on platforms is not allowed at any time. It can distract train drivers & train despatch staff and so is potentially very dangerous.

Tripod legs must be kept away from platform edges and behind the yellow lines. On busy stations, you may not be allowed to use a tripod because it could be a dangerous obstruction to passengers.

A few years (well maybe MANY years ago) I did a lot of photographing in the Boston subways - I had a similar experience in that they told me I needed a permit - which they were more than happy to give me. Of course as part of getting the permit I had to sign an insurance waiver that absolved them of any responsibility if I for example backed up to get a better shot and backed clear off the platfom

Rather reasonable I thought.

It goes from bad to worse here in the UK. A dad can't even take a snap of his kid in public now!

Man Suspected Of Being A Paedophile For Taking A Photo Of His Own Son While Out Shopping | UK News | Sky News (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Man-Suspected-Of-Being-A-Paedophile-For-Taking-A-Photo-Of-His-Own-Son-While-Out-Shopping/Article/201002415560029?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15560029_Man_Suspected_Of_Being_A_Paedophile_For_Taking_A_Photo_Of_His_Own_Son_While_Out _Shopping)

Terrorism is one thing .... what really scares me is an attack of the stupids.

Andrew

Very interesting these responses, and reading the OP's blog article. I think in all elements reported here it is the context that is important.

Many years ago I was producing a doco which needed visits to Blackpool and we had shots of the Pleasure Beach interiors (private property). This was not long after this area had some bad press. I had previously spoken and agreed access with the owners, told them what we were doing etc... and paid filming rights...

Come the day my crew and I entered the area and we were stopped and questioned quite intensely. It was only when I produced documents and after their security had contacted key people that we were allowed access. Same thing applied in rail stations.

That was 15 years ago. Today, it is more intense, but I think the same rules do apply:

1. Make sure you contact the RIGHT people.

2. Get the RIGHT agreement and clearance.

3. In the UK, contact any local authority, council or city department in ADDITION to the private "principal" individual.

4. Obtain permissions in writing.

5. Have available and by agreement contact numbers in order to refer enquiries.

Worked for me across many complicated shoots - then.

Dare say things may have changed on a number of levels, including idiots in uniform, social paranoia and even more idiots in uniform possibly with some having a grade C pass in woodwork.

:)

"having a grade C pass in woodwork" ... that's quite an euphemism you've got there!

LOL! Classic!

Andrew

Now now now - don't diss woodwork. Maybe saying a grade C in personal hygiene would be more appropriate

Arriving at Newcastle yesterday I was asked to stop filming the EastCoast (rebadged National Express) train I had just got off as it departed on its way to Kings Cross...

Funnily enough, I had almost the exact opposite experience today in Lancaster station.
On leaving the Glasgow train, I saw a British Transport polisman on the platform and asked him for permission to film my departing train as I had not had time to "sign in" with the Station Manager. It took a few attempts to communicate this to him, the station staff and the "team leader" (apparently some stations have gone the way of Banks regarding managers). I was eventually asked "So you just want to film a train?" which is a breath of fresh air as far as I am concerned. I was suddenly transported back to to the 1970s when people who photographed or filmed trains were regarded as harmless eccentrics (in which category I should almost certainly be put).

The man collecting train numbers was also left in peace although I can't say with certainty that he wasn't plotting some awful crime.

Sorry this is more anorak railway stuff but it might be of interest.

I was filming my son sitting in an empty train at a rural terminus recently. The guard noticed me, said I really should have a permit, but could continue filming until the point when other passengers boarded the coach. I though he was being a bit over cautious but was at least trying to help, so complied meekly.

I then wrote of the the TOC (Train Operating Company) to clarify the rules. At first they said that I should fill in the filming permit application anyway, gave me a link and I downloaded it. It is clearly for major productions and contained the following chilling statement:

SECTION THREE : CONDITIONS OF ENTRY TO (TOC) /
SERVICES / PROPERTIES FOR THE PROPOSE OF FILMING.

3. access to (TOC) Stations / Services / Properties is subject to an administration fee of £500
(excluding VAT) for the first hour and £300 (excluding VAT) for each hour thereafter. This fee
does not include the provision of non scheduled train services, train crew or equipment. A full
quotation will be provided if this application is successful.
I hereby confirm that the above details are accurate and correct. I confirm our acceptance of the
conditions of entry to (TOC) Stations / Services / Properties for the purposes of filming.

I wrote back and said that "I am concerned that by submitting a completed application form that I would be committing myself to a payment of £1292.50 each for the three hour outward and return journeys which seems a little excessive for a family day trip."

Here's the useful bit - they replied

I appreciate your concerns regarding completing the formal application form and I can advise the rules for filming relate to commercial filming only, where the equipment needed is significant. It appears from your correspondence that your recordings will be for family use only and I understand that it will not involve any other passengers or staff. I can confirm that if you are only using a standard handheld video camera the rules do not apply.

So it just rests on the interpretation of the "standard handheld video camera". For me a Canon HV-30 rather than an XH-A1 (it's to bulky anyway) and don't pimp it up with long furry things. I still intend to use a small support bracket and a W/A converter.

This EU ruling may be of interest:

Home Office reviewing European Court appeal rejection over Section 44 - British Journal of Photography (http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/news/1720064/european-court-rejects-home-office-appeal-section-44-illegal)

Interesting development over school paranoia about taking photos of Nativity Plays:
BBC News - Nativity photos not against law, says data watchdog (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11945081)

Link to statement: http://www.ico.gov.uk/ (In latest news section)
I had to change the file extension from .ashx to .pdf to read it - YMMV

Full guidelines at http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/practical_application/taking_photos.pdf