Can they take my camera ?
YES if they think you’re a terrorist
In view of the increased activity by the police to seek out those who would destroy our way of life we are again printing a few do’s and don'ts and can and cant’s.
Can they take away my camera ? YES
If they think you’re a terrorist Police in the UK have no powers to stop you taking photos in a public place but there are other laws you could be arrested and imprisoned for, such as the Official Secrets Act.
An officer may wish to search you in connection with the ‘stop’. But they can only do this if they suspect you’re carrying drugs, weapons, stolen property or items that could be used to commit a crime, an act of terrorism or cause criminal damage.
Police can stop and search you if they reasonably suspect you to be a terrorist under section 43 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Police can view images on the camera you are carrying if you’re being searched under section 43.
Police can seize and retain your camera if they reasonably suspect that it may contain evidence you are a terrorist.
Police can arrest you for taking pictures of the police, armed forces or intelligence if they have reasonable suspicion that the information is designed to provide assistance in committing or planning an act of terrorism.
Police cannot stop and search you under section 44,
Police cannot prevent you taking pictures on the public highway – although you could be charged with obstruction or a public order offense.
Police cannot delete or ask you to delete digital images at any point during a search under section 43 (court order needed).
Police cannot arrest you photographing police officers involved in the course of normal police duties.
Security Guards can ask you to stop taking photographs and forcibly remove you from private land.
Security Guards cannot take your equipment, cannot look at your photographs and cannot delete or force you to delete any of your shots.
HOWEVER if you do see something sinister, not right or strangely unusual get a shot of the incident, noting the precise location and time, and show it to the police.
Can they take away my camera ? YES
If they think you’re a terrorist Police in the UK have no powers to stop you taking photos in a public place but there are other laws you could be arrested and imprisoned for, such as the Official Secrets Act.
An officer may wish to search you in connection with the ‘stop’. But they can only do this if they suspect you’re carrying drugs, weapons, stolen property or items that could be used to commit a crime, an act of terrorism or cause criminal damage.
Police can stop and search you if they reasonably suspect you to be a terrorist under section 43 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Police can view images on the camera you are carrying if you’re being searched under section 43.
Police can seize and retain your camera if they reasonably suspect that it may contain evidence you are a terrorist.
Police can arrest you for taking pictures of the police, armed forces or intelligence if they have reasonable suspicion that the information is designed to provide assistance in committing or planning an act of terrorism.
Police cannot stop and search you under section 44,
Police cannot prevent you taking pictures on the public highway – although you could be charged with obstruction or a public order offense.
Police cannot delete or ask you to delete digital images at any point during a search under section 43 (court order needed).
Police cannot arrest you photographing police officers involved in the course of normal police duties.
Security Guards can ask you to stop taking photographs and forcibly remove you from private land.
Security Guards cannot take your equipment, cannot look at your photographs and cannot delete or force you to delete any of your shots.
HOWEVER if you do see something sinister, not right or strangely unusual get a shot of the incident, noting the precise location and time, and show it to the police.
