Tuesday 29 November 2011

On Monday 21 November, Lewis Stainer, a student photographer covering the occupation in Market Square, Nottingham, witnessed the arrest of someone from the camp. He attempted to video the arrest and was promptly intimidated into handing over the video tape.

The police said they did this to secure evidence of an alleged crime, under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act PACE 1984.  The photographer did not see this original, alleged, crime and thus the police were wrong in believing that they could legally do this. 

There is an agreed protocol / set of guidelines:

" 7. Police officers do not have the authority to prevent a person taking a photograph or to confiscate cameras or film, and such conduct could result in criminal, civil or disciplinary action."

The student had asked for assistance from the National Union of Journalists.  It is not just a matter of his personal welfare and the return of his material. But also the rights of photographers in carrying out thier interests and work without this [continued] intimidation.

His college is also concerned at this treatment and may be taking legal action.

Lewis said officers had now given him a CD copy of his work, but it was poor quality, could not be edited and had no sound. Useless for his college project. Also, he said: "The footage of the arrest has been completely deleted off the copy, which is unacceptable".

I can't see how the arrest would be helpful in the criminal investigation, it was just officers putting handcuffs on someone."

Raising the profile of this incident, Mr Stainer has done a number of interviews with the BBC and this afternoon, Central TV.  This report will be broadcast tomorrow on Central ITV wednesday 6pm. Diana Peasey for the National Union of Journalist contributed to this interview expressing her concern. The NUJ continue to support photographers against this police harrisment.  This is just the latest example of police staff simply ignoring the guidelines / agreed protocol, negotiated with them 4 or 5 years ago now.  Needless to say, not much has changed.

Nottingham student says police took his film illegally

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-15934197

Nottingham Student Photographer's material taken by police

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2191

Photography Advice and Guidance

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2189

National Union of Journalists

http://www.nuj.org.uk

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ALAN LODGE 

Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham.  UK

Email:                 tash@indymedia.org

Web:                   http://digitaljournalist.eu

Member of the National Union of Journalists [NUJ]

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"It is not enough to curse the darkness.

                                   It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"

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