London's "War on Photography"?

Just came across this.

http://www.boingboing.​net …/london-cops-declare.html

What say you folks on the east side of the pond?

Wow.

1984 is set in whats left of London to, ironny?

I'm not worried about it.

Our government is very good at looking like it is taking new steps to prevent terrorism, but not actually doing anything with them. It is generally just PR spin to make them look like they are doing more than they are.

Besides, this isn't much different than the 'report suspicious people / bags / packages' advertising we had running for many years when the IRA was merrily blowing up various parts of the country. It didn't have much effect on people carrying bags.

Yes, occasionally you might get asked what you are doing, if using a camera in certain places. This is nothing new, although is a little more prevalent than it once was. However, the law is still on the photographers side and it is still legal to shoot in a public place. The police have very limited powers to stop you and (assuming someone actually reports you for suspicious behaviour) will generally ask you a couple of questions just to check you out and then either go away, or you can all have a good laugh about paranoid old biddies. Over the years I have had several such 'run-ins' with the law (not all photography related), on each occasion it was quickly settled very amicably.

I have far more concerns about the things that the government agencies are doing and NOT telling us about, than I do about the coppers on the street. The guys at the sharp end are generally very easy to deal with and most things are sorted out very amicably (unless you are a real criminal of course).

sandpiper wrote in post #5055988
Yes, occasionally you might get asked what you are doing, if using a camera in certain places. This is nothing new, although is a little more prevalent than it once was. However, the law is still on the photographers side and it is still legal to shoot in a public place. The police have very limited powers to stop you and (assuming someone actually reports you for suspicious behaviour) will generally ask you a couple of questions just to check you out and then either go away, or you can all have a good laugh about paranoid old biddies. Over the years I have had several such 'run-ins' with the law (not all photography related), on each occasion it was quickly settled very amicably.

It is called de-sensitisation.

At first you don't mind seeing all the extra cops, then you don't mind seeing them with guns, then you don't mind getting stopped and being asked questions, then you don't mind them taking people away to ask questions, then you don't mind when those people never come back.......

And there is already a good parody in my contact's stream..

REPORT HDR ABUSE.

Moppie wrote in post #5056015
It is called de-sensitisation.

At first you don't mind seeing all the extra cops, then you don't mind seeing them with guns, then you don't mind getting stopped and being asked questions, then you don't mind them taking people away to ask questions, then you don't mind when those people never come back.......

Yes, but that's my point. There aren't any extra cops (people are complaining because numbers are actually going down), we almost never see cops with guns here either (unlike most of the rest of the world).

The cops in this country are actually very good. On the several occasions that I have been stopped for speeding, it has been amicable and friendly and I have always been sent on my way with a suggestion to take it easy.

When they have come up to me and asked what I am doing, it is generally because a member of public has complained about suspicious activity (the funniest being the one who reported a terrorist attack in progress on a local school, which resulted in a large number of sirens and police with actual guns arriving on the scene at a high rate of speed. They found us inflating a hot air balloon on the school field, apparently the gas burners had looked like 'rocket launchers). After a couple of minutes chat and a laugh these things are quickly sorted out and I get back on with what I was doing.

Of course things aren't perfect here, and the government has tried to get some dodgy legislation through giving them extra powers of detention. However, these things just don't get through parliament.

I can understand why people from countries, where having a cop come up to you is seen as a big problem, might see it the way you put it above. However, in this country, the police are NOT seen as the big bad enforcers of a dictatorship. I am not 'de-sensitized', my many experiences with the British police have never given me any reason to worry about dealing with them.

I am far less concerned about a copper wandering over for a chat, than a drunk or a chav showing an interest in what I am doing.

Fair points, its also why the NZ police are importing every english copper they can get thier hands on. The offer them all sorts of incentives, and so far its working rather well.
Our force is starting to speak with a very english accent.

Moppie wrote in post #5056240
Fair points, its also why the NZ police are importing every english copper they can get thier hands on. The offer them all sorts of incentives, and so far its working rather well.
Our force is starting to speak with a very english accent.

Aaaah, so that's why there are less coppers around over here these days. I thought it was down to budget cuts.

TheHoff wrote in post #5056025
REPORT HDR ABUSE.

i like that

I have definate feelings regarding these concerns, but I don't think this forum is the proper place to discuss them.

chauncey wrote in post #5056764
I have definate feelings regarding these concerns, but I don't think this forum is the proper place to discuss them.

Excellent point. This thread is very close to being in violation of our 'no politics' rule. I suspect it will be locked before long, although the information is good, especially for our British cousins.

Moppie wrote in post #5056240
Our force is starting to speak with a very english accent.

There's a difference?

DWilkin wrote in post #5057071
There's a difference?

To hear them tell it.

DWilkin wrote in post #5057071
There's a difference?

Yeah, the pommy cops a nice bunch of blokes and ladies, while the locals all have chips on thier shoulders.
Well they don't, but you meet 1 or 2 that do, and it makes the other couple of thousand look bad.

Moppie wrote in post #5057160
Yeah, the pommy cops a nice bunch of blokes and ladies, while the locals all have chips on thier shoulders.
Well they don't, but you meet 1 or 2 that do, and it makes the other couple of thousand look bad.

OK - Thanks for that explanation. Can you translate "pommy" for me?