Rights eroded even more?

[Gronygroovy]

Photographer films his own 'anti-terror' arrest | UK news | The Guardian

A film by the person being arrested for photographing, yes photographing in a town centre along with his friend. Apparently he was photographing things suspiciously! They get around the anti-terror rules and reforms made to them by saying that he was behaving anti-socialy. I am dumbstruck and disgusted!

[spadeski]

This is going on in most large towns and cities in the UK

It's obvious to me the man was arrested because the pc who originally asked for his details (she's not even a real police officer, but a 'Community Support Officer') was slighted when he (legally) refused to answer her questions...

Childish playground stuff

and they wonder why we have so little respect for them

[Swisstony10]

When the police approach someone and ask them who they are and what they're doing, I really don't see why perfectly innocent people who are lawfully taking pictures have such a massive problem with explaining themselves.

Ask yourself this question - what looks more supsicious, telling a police officer/PCSO what your name is, and explaining that you're a photographer (either pro, amateur, or semi-pro) and that taking photos of public events in public places is a hobby of yours, or clamming up, and repeatedly stating that you are not required by law to give your name or justify your actions?

Don't get me wrong, I'm no staunch supporter of draconian police-state tactics, but seriously - how paranoid have you got to be to refuse to tell a police officer who you are in order to explain and prove that what you're doing is completely innocent?

[spadeski]

Do you really want to live in a state where police officers have the power to stop and search or take your name and address

I seem to recall the Nazis being good at that

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by spadeski

Do you really want to live in a state where police officers have the power to stop and search or take your name and address

I seem to recall the Nazis being good at that

Congratulations, you've just invoked Godwin's Law!

[spadeski]

Originally Posted by dcclark

Congratulations, you've just invoked Godwin's Law!

Somebody's been watching QI

[Swisstony10]

Godwin's Law within half an hour of my post. Is that a record?

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by spadeski

Somebody's been watching QI

Actually no, I have no clue what QI is...

Back to the subject, I always find the "any normal law-abiding person should be happy to answer questions..." idea to be a very poor argument. It's probably true, but that's not the point at all. If everybody does decide to answer such questions, despite not having to, then it's de facto a law -- and they then have chosen to give up an important right in the name of convenience. While I realize that that requires a very "big picture" view of the situation, it's also a very important thing to remember.

All that said, I probably would have just talked to the officer, and tried to maybe use it as a chance for some good PR.

[spadeski]

Originally Posted by dcclark

Actually no, I have no clue what QI is...

Back to the subject, I always find the "any normal law-abiding person should be happy to answer questions..." idea to be a very poor argument. It's probably true, but that's not the point at all. If everybody does decide to answer such questions, despite not having to, then it's de facto a law -- and they then have chosen to give up an important right in the name of convenience. While I realize that that requires a very "big picture" view of the situation, it's also a very important thing to remember.

All that said, I probably would have just talked to the officer, and tried to maybe use it as a chance for some good PR.

Godwin's Law as explained on QI:

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfDCwP2SnI4

I guess the moment I used the words 'nazi' the debate was dead

[sk66]

Originally Posted by Swisstony10

When the police approach someone and ask them who they are and what they're doing, I really don't see why perfectly innocent people who are lawfully taking pictures have such a massive problem with explaining themselves.

The question isn't "why shouldn't you answer?, but rather "why should you have to answer?".

Do you feel it would be appropriate for an officer to arbitrarily pull you over in order to check your driver's license? Even though you have done absolutely nothing wrong?
Maybe the officer thinks your type of vehicle is indicative of a particular type of individual and is therefore "suspicious"...