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Police forces across the UK conducted unauthorised stops and searches under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act, the Government has admitted today.
A leaflet recently handed out by a police officer who stopped and searched a member of the public in London contains the address of a website no longer owned by the Government, but is instead owned by an anti-government group, Amateur Photographer can reveal.
The Government has promised to ensure it strikes the 'right balance' between protecting the public and upholding civil liberties, as part of the Freedom Reform Bill. But will this mean a review of controversial Section 44 stop-and-search powers? Yes, says the Home Office...
The Government has yet to make clear whether it plans to review police use of the controversial anti-terrorism stop-and-search legislation that has ensnared many innocent photographers.
As the country moves closer to what looks set to be a deal between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, it may be useful to reflect on where both parties stand on photographers’ rights.
A professional photographer has threatened to take legal action after he was detained by police under anti-terrorism legislation this morning, AP has learned.
A serving policeman has hit out at suggestions that police officers fail to use common sense when dealing with photographers under counter-terrorism legislation.
A civil liberties group has sued the US government which it accuses of acting unconstitutionally by restricting photography in public.
The Metropolitan Police has warned officers they risk breaking the law if they stop photographers, using counter-terrorism legislation.
The Liberal Democrats have called for an 'urgent' review of counter-terrorism stop and search legislation, saying it must not be used to target photographers and tourists.
The Labour Party has issued a statement to photographers following pledges by the Tories and Lib Dems to end misuse of anti-terrorism legislation.
A Conservative government would end police misuse of controversial stop-and-search powers that have hit many innocent photographers, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling has said.
Police carried out 66% more stops and searches under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act in 2008/2009 than the year before, government figures show today.
The Home Office has said it would be ‘inappropriate’ to explain why it has appealed against a European ruling that Section 44 stop and search anti-terror powers breach human rights.
Official election photographer Simon Roberts has today called on the public to help him in his quest to create the first mass political photography project of its kind. Picture credit: Charlie Crane
Thames Valley Police has been forced to retrain its officers on the correct use of anti-terrorism powers after a photographer was wrongly suspected of being a terrorist.
Parliament should urgently conduct a thorough, evidence-based, review of all counter-terrorism legislation, a parliamentary committee on human rights has said.
Photographer Simon Roberts who was recently chosen as the nation’s official Election Artist has expressed concern that he may become an innocent victim of UK anti-terrorism laws.
Photographers have urged caution after reassurances from a government minister that anti-terrorism laws will not target people taking pictures in a public place.
Counter-terrorism minister David Hanson has issued a statement following yesterday’s meeting with Amateur Photographer magazine and other representatives of the photographic community.
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