really interesting/sad report but it would be nice to have some evidence of some sort to back up your story befor i go and tell everyone i know.

...Especially considering that there are more CCTV cameras in the UK per Capita than anywhere else in the World. Please Sign, Before it`s Too Late!!!

Warning: Torygraph alert


 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/11/nphotos111.xml

"Moves to ban the photographing of children in public places have provoked an angry backlash from campaigners.

A council last month became the first to propose an outright ban on taking pictures of children in its parks, which even extended to stopping parents from taking snapshots of their own children at family picnics.

Amateur photographers claim they are increasingly being viewed with hostility by members of the public who suspect them of being paedophiles.

In one incident, when a married couple took pictures of a junior rugby game in a public park in Surrey, they were detained by club officials and police later visited their home to check their credentials.

A petition opposing any restriction on photography in public places has become the second most popular on the Downing Street website, attracting more than 55,000 signatures in just three weeks. News of the campaign has spread by email, as it did for the petition against road pricing which attracted a record 1.8 million signatures last month.

The petition, started by Simon Taylor, an amateur photographer, calls on Tony Blair to "stop proposed restrictions regarding photography in public places". It adds: "It is a fundamental right of a UK citizen to use a camera in a public place."

The first serious attempt to ban photographs of children in public was made last month at Vale of Glamorgan council, in south Wales.

Rob Quick, the council's director of environmental and economic regeneration, proposed "that no photographs, filming or other imaging shall take place of children or young people in parks and open spaces without written permission".

He said digital cameras, often with video, presented "the opportunity of misuse".

Park-keepers would have issued approval forms to parents who wanted to take pictures of their children.

The proposal was thrown out by councillors, who said it would be too difficult to enforce and that parents shouldn't need permission for pictures of family picnics. Mr Taylor fears, however, that other councils may follow suit by attempting to introduce bans.

Councils already ban photography in many indoor venues including leisure centres and schools while some parents have been prevented from photographing their children's nativity plays."

It was in the Torygraph... which means it's hopefully just another pre-election publicity wheeze that'll come to nothing.

If it happens to appear in the Daily Mail, we can sleep soundly.

can't remember where I read it but this is supposed to be a complete load of bollocks and completely unfounded

next time you see a cop taking pictures of or videoing children go and demand they stop without parental permission and then write to the force in question asking their policy on cops taking pictures of children - it's what any responsible parent should do

hunt scum have long been arguing for this to happen since the cuntryside alliance told its members that when hunt monitors are filming them, they should tell the cops they are filming their children and that it is illegal to do so, which it isnt, in fact they even push their children in front of the cameras in order to try and get monitors arrested and/or film confiscated, the sad little people. these are sad times my friends.

Well, the only way I could see it being made half-way enforceable would be to introduce it into some sort of public order contingency (like the Riot Act) that would need to be declared, or perhaps piggy back it on to some sort of harrassment bill. Which I still have my doubts on getting anywhere.

To press the harrassment angle they would have to also exempt CCTV. That would work with commercial CCTV, but what about the thousands of private residential systems?

If it did make it through Parliament, I suspect ACPO would subtely tell the Home Office to kiss its arse like it did with much of Michael Howard's "repetetive beats" lunacy.

Think about it, you can't ban people from taking photographs in public places. It wouldn't square with the Human Rights Act in terms of freedom of expression and the right to family life.

How many phones have cameras in them now?

Sounds like another Downing Street press-friendly "initiative".

One test case away from the bin!

anyone can start any daft petition on the number 10 website - like asking blair to stand on his head...

it's not accurate, end of story.

Here's the official reply that you get if you sign the petition:

Thank you for signing the petition on the Downing Street website calling for the Prime Minister to stop proposed restrictions on photography in public places.

This petition has already attracted over 60,000 signatures from people who obviously share your concern. Not surprisingly, the idea that the Government might be poised to restrict your ability to take photos has caused some puzzlement and even alarm.

We have therefore decided to respond to this petition before its closing date of August, in order to reassure people.

The Government appreciates that millions of people in this country enjoy photography. So we have checked carefully to see if any Government department was considering any proposal that might possibly lead to the sort of restrictions suggested by this petition. We have been assured this is not the case.

There may be cases where individual schools or other bodies believe it is necessary to have some restrictions on photography, for instance to protect children, but that would be a matter for local decisions.

In fact, Simon Taylor, who started the petition, has since made clear that he was not really referring to Government action or legislation. His main concern appears to be that photographic societies and other organisations may introduce voluntary ID cards for members to help them explain why they are taking photographs. Again, any such scheme would not involve the Government.

We hope this re-assures you and clears up the confusion.

I was arrested, and detained for three days, in December 2006, by a Police Officer who told me that it was illegal to take pictures in a public place.

No charges have been brought, although my camera has not been returned to me either.