Metropolitan Police Service Photography advice

For those members that are interested in taking photographs in London are well aware of that photography has attracted the attention of the Police in relation to the Terrorism Act 2000, the link below provides advice from the Metropolitan Police to photographers

http://www.met.police.uk/about/photography.htm

Officers have the power to view digital images contained in mobile telephones or cameras carried by a person

Officers do not have the power to delete digital images or destroy film at any point during a search.

From a personal point of view when I have been asked to provide identification , I saw no reason not to. My general approach when stopped is to be polite and explain what and why I am taking photographs. To date I have not been arrested or carted off the local nick for taking photographs.

Photographers will be stopped under terror law, says Met 'advice'

Report from Amateur Photographer

"The Home Office has distanced itself from photography guidance that was published by the Metropolitan Police earlier today. The advice, which appeared on the Met's website, is intended as a guide for photographers and police officers in relation to photography in public and current anti-terrorism legislation. However, it was unclear whether the advice had been government approved. And it drew criticism in an article published today by The Guardian. Asked whether it had been endorsed by the Home Office, a spokesman told Amateur Photographer (AP): 'The Home Office has got nothing to do with it.' "

NEWS UPDATE 9 JULY 5.30pm

G20 Police Riot Squad

An interesting afternoon at the G20 protest near the Bank of England, plenty of opportunities to take photographs of people.

In situations like this you must keep an eye out to ensure your personal safety. I took my cheaper camera the Canon 350D

Any trouble and violence was limited to a small minority of people. Generally a festive atmosphere with the full spectrum humanity present; even Gandalf from the Lord of the Rings complete with staff

I was corralled within the Police cordon and not allowed to leave. However I successfully located a gap and was able to leave after about an hour and half.