April 19, 2009
Police delete London tourists' photos 'to prevent terrorism'
Austrian tourist Klaus Matzka and his teenage son Loris took several photographs of some of eLondon's sights, including the famous red double-decker buses and Vauxhall bus station, which Matzka regards as "modern sculpture". The Guardian reports.
But two policemen forced them to delete the photographs from their cameras in the name of preventing terrorism. They were told that photographing anything to do with transport was "strictly forbidden".
The policemen also recorded the pair's details, including passport numbers and hotel addresses.
... A spokeswoman for Metropolitan police said: "It is not the police's intention to prevent tourists from taking photographs and we are looking to the allegations made." The force said it had no knowledge of any ban on photographing public transport in the capital.
An odd thing to say since the UK launched a Counter-Terrorism advertising campaign last March warning about just that.
[via Régine del.icio.us]
Related:
-- UK launches Counter-Terrorism advertising campaign, including: "Observation and surveillance help terrorists plan attacks. Have you seen anyone taking pictures of security arrangements such as CCTV? Has it made you suspicious?
-- Street photographers fear for their art amid climate of suspicion - With public concern rising over paedophilia and terrorism, street photographers face new difficulties.
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