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October 19, 2007
Snapper Stan stopped under Terrorism Act
Legendary Ealing Gazette photographer Stan James has been stopped and quizzed twice within a week by PCSOs under the Terrorism Act because he was carrying a camera.
Stan, who has worked for the Gazette for more than 25 years, was asked for his name, address and age by the police community support officers after he was spotted with his camera.
The first occasion happened in Singapore Road, West Ealing, when the PCSOs demanded to know what he was dong with his camera.
The same thing happened on Thursday when he was out working, and in both cases his press card, a nationally recognised form of identification for journalists and photographers was rejected.
Stan told the Gazette: “I don’t think I believed it straight away. He just asked me why I was carrying a camera, and I didn’t think it was any of his business.
“if I had been behaving furtively or being evasive in any way I could understand it but I wasn’t even taking any photos.
“I expect sometimes to be asked why I am taking pictures at police incidents and I’m more than happy to tell them why and what the pictures are for.�
Ealing Safer neighbourhoods chief Superintendent Ian Jenkins said: People don’t even need to have a camera – w can stop anyone for any reason and aske them to give an account for themselves.
“The fact that he was carrying a camera is quite sensitive because part of our remit is to disrupt and prevent acts of terrorism.
“What the PSCOs have done is absolutely right.�
Here at the Gazette, it goes out without saying we fully support the police in their fight against terrorism, however we can not tolerate our phototgraphers or any other member of staff, being obstructed as they carry out their lawful daily duties – particularly as they are more than happy to provide identification and an explanation.
Posted by sazam at October 19, 2007 10:53 AM
Comments...
I think this is bizarre. What will it be next - people wearing hats, raincoats and dark glasses - because they look like spies?
We want PCSOs with common sense - is anybody checking that they bring that to their jobs - or is it just tick-list mentality? They can stop and talk to anyone and that should be no problem with anyone and they probably do their best job simply as a uniformed presence. The majority of people want no trouble.
If they are likely to be unduly, unnecessarily and ridiculously officious then the result will be more bureaucracy just like the stop and search forms the police should provide. It sounds like somebody just throwing their weight around because they have a uniform and playing at having a grown-up job - or someone fishing for a story!
Comment posted by: Jane at October 22, 2007 11:28 AM