Amateur photographer arrested for taking picture of police officer
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By Hayley Robinson
hrobinson@thekmgroup.co.uk
An amateur photographer who
was arrested under anti-terrorism laws after taking a picture of a
police officer, has made a complaint to Kent Police.
Writing on his blog Alex Turner
says he was handcuffed and read his rights following the incident
in Chatham High Street on July 8.
In a letter to the Professional
Standards Department of Kent Police Alex claims he was initially
stopped by two men who claimed to work for Medway Council as he
took pictures near Snappy Snaps.
He declined to provide details of
his identity when asked because he didn’t feel he needed to as the
men didn’t identify themselves as police officers.
The men then called over a Police
Community Support Officer who was later joined by another officer
who questioned Alex further about why he was taking pictures in the
High Street.
The arrest was made immediately
after Alex took a photo of the officer as she spoke to a colleague
on the phone in relation to him being stopped.
Alex writes: "As I was arrested I
was handcuffed. I asked why she had arrested me. She stated because
I had taken a photograph of her and that she considered this to be
an unlawful obstruction.
"After a short time I was led up
the High Street and detained in a police van for around 20
minutes."
Alex was ‘dearrested’ after police
officers conducted a search and checked his identity through the
driving licence he was carrying.
He adds: "I know a fair few people
may say serves you right for a number of reasons. My response to
that is it will serve you right when you wake up one day and
realise you don’t live in a free country anymore.
"I’ve been stopped nearly a dozen
time under section 44. Up until now I’ve always provided my
details. Today I decided not to. Seems that when I choose to
exercise my rights I get arrested, cuffed and detained for doing
so."
A spokesman for Medway Police said:
"We can confirm that on Wednesday, July 8, at approximately 12.30pm
a man was arrested on Military Road, Chatham. After a short period
of time the man was de-arrested and no further action will be
taken."
To see Alex’s account of what
happened visit http://monaxle.com
Monday, July 13 2009
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