Yes, I could be in trouble as I often go to demonstration with my camera and what does one do, takes pictures of the real trouble makers, yep, not the folks in the demo, but the cops. They, in my view, get a bit too excited and well, though their weight (law) around abit.
From today, anyone taking a photograph of a police officer could be deemed to have committed a criminal offence.
That is because of a new law - Section 76 of the Counter Terrorism Act - which has come into force.
It permits the arrest of anyone found "eliciting, publishing or communicating information" relating to members of the armed forces, intelligence services and police officers, which is "likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".
That means anyone taking a picture of one of those people could face a fine or a prison sentence of up to 10 years, if a link to terrorism is proved. Source
So, I could be in the slammer for upto 10yrs just for taking photos. The question I would like to know is this, How do you prove a 'link to terrorism' ?
I can see these PCSO or those known as Plastic Cops (PCSO) who are basically folks who are part time coppers but can't really do coppers job. The worry is, if one of these folks doesn't like you, and you happen to be taking photos of some of the great London Landmarks, s/he could have you in the slammer with trumped up charges and your life is wrecked. This really is something that should never have been allowed to pass into Law!
Oh and here's why I may in trouble... check here
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