Hundreds of angry photographers protest outside Scotland Yard at new anti-terrorist laws that came into effect on Monday.
The new law makes it illegal to photograph any Police Officers with the introduction of Section 76 of the Counter Terrorist Act.
It makes it an offence to “elicit, publish or communicate information” relating to members of the Armed Forces, intelligence services and police, which is “likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism”. Anyone caught photographing a police officer could be treated as a terrorist and arrested. If convicted under Section 76 they could face a fine or a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment.
The National Union of Journalists said the law could be used to harass photographers working legitimately.
In a statement, the Home Office said taking pictures of police officers would only be deemed an offence in “very exceptional circumstances”.
“The new offence is intended to help protect those in the front line of our counter terrorism operations from terrorist attack,” it said.
“For the offence to be committed, the information would have to raise a reasonable suspicion that it was intended to be used to provide practical assistance to terrorists.”
The Home Office added that anyone accused under the act could defend themselves by proving they had “a reasonable excuse” for taking the picture.
To see the full story, see Photographers angry at terror law.
Shame I could not have made it to London on Monday but I had to go to work. These new laws come over weeks after changes were made to protect photographers being harased for photographing in public places.
New Police guidelines on street photography Terrorism Act 2000
Yet only a few days later a London street photographer is arrested for terrorism.
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PatB
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