This article & video post on You Tube is about my unlawful detention for filming this video, not any comment on the arrest of the unknown man in the film or the actions of the police in this clip. It's about my right & the rights of any UK citizen or Journalist to use Photography on the streets of our country without fear of Seizure, Detention or Arrest. That's arguably at the core of the nature of a working healthy democracy.
Factually, in this video, the Police are merely conducting an arrest in Fore Street, Hertford during the public sector workers demo, and it's captured on my iPhone. Two of the officer's moments later then demand I provide my name and address for filming the incident, as it was evidence. Despite six officers attending as witness, including at least two officers with audio/video recording equipment strapped to their chests.
As is my legal right, I politely declined as I wanted nothing to do with this matter, and I was then threatened with having my iPhone seized and was detained for 20 minutes having asked the Sergeant PS 822 (Subject of official complaint) in question to consult an inspector on the legalities of seizing my iPhone and my subsequent 20 minute detention.
I waited patiently with a PC 971 (Subject of Official Complaint) whilst the sergeant consulted superiors. I was then told I was free to go but minus an apology for the detention & threatened seizure of my iPhone.
I have now made an official complaint to the police Professional Standards Department about my unlawful detention for shooting this video and ironically pointed out it was available on You Tube in any event, if they needed it for evidence. You may note again two of the officers in the video are blatantly wearing camera equipment on their utility vests during this arrest. It begs the question in the first instance why stop me as a passer-by & repeatedly ask for my personal details when they presumably know they have no legal powers to do so, and I had evidently committed no offence in any way whatsoever.
During the official complaint regarding my detention for filming this incident the Inspector who heard my complaint 3 - 4 hours later at Hertford Police Station, 'Inspector D', No 629 said she thought, "I was just trying to make the police look bad" by posting this video. There's some irony in there somewhere I think.
Readers will be pleased to know there is no law against photography on the public streets of the UK, including Hertford, Hertfordshire, and in these circumstances nobody has to provide their personal contact details. Please also see 'Association of Chief Police Officers' (ACPO) Communication Advisory Group Guidance dated November 2010 & Reviewed November 2011. http://www.acpo.presscentre.com/content/default.aspx?NewsAreaID=19
Extract from the 'All forces guidance letter, 26/08/10, Andrew Trotter, Chief Constable, Chair of ACPO Communication Advisory Group' :
There are no powers prohibiting the taking of photographs, film or digital images in a public place. Therefore members of the public and press should not be prevented from doing so. Unnecessarily restricting photography, whether for the casual tourist or professional is unacceptable and it undermines public confidence in the police service.
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Become one of our Special Constables in Hertfordshireby hertspolice2,957 views
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