Arrested for taking photographs

Did you hear on the news that a man was arrested for taking photographs of his daughter with the cup she had won in her school sports?  Taking photos in public places is now frowned on by the powers that be.  Thankfully he was subsequently released.

There was another case recently Jo which was similiar to this. A guy was photographing his 2 kids having fun on a slide whilst on a family day out, and the other parents started getting angry and calling him a pervert. I can't remember exactly what happened but i think he eventually sought out the police who confirmed he was doing nothing wrong.  Still, the guys day out was ruined all because he wanted to take snaps of his kids having fun on a special day out to remember. A sad situation but a sign of the times I guess.

Yes, a sign of hysterical times. Anyone that ever tries to stop me taking photos in a public place will be told to take a run and jump. It is NOT illegal. Stand up for your rights.

What a sad sad world we all live in now.

It is sad when someone gets harrassed for taking photos of their kids. Surely it would be possible to tell if it was a relative, you can usually tell if kids are with their dad, or a complete stranger!   I take photos of my daughter on days out etc, it reminds you of good times, great to look back on. I'm sure everybody on here would be completely against people taking them for the wrong reason, but as usual we all suffer for the sick minority.

It would be interesting to know the details of both the stories though. Whether the issue was just establishing if they were actually relatives or whether other kids were nearby and their parents believed that he might not be taking pictures of his own kids only.

I would never take close-ups of anyone without asking, adults and even less of others' children. It may be sad but we can't ignore the impact that Internet has had on photography, for better or for worse.   

The potential problem is not the photographer himself but the fact that once anything has been put in digital form, you have virtually no control on it anymore.  What, up to 20 years ago, was very likely to remain in your neighbor's family album and probably showed to his friends only, it now can reach the other end of the world before you and him could even be back from the outdoor. The proud father is free to text the picture of her daughter by phone, and then email it, publish, blogg, edit, you name it, all with an exponentially growing visibility. And your kids or yourself along with it.

I'm not saying that I give up my right of taking photos in any circumstance but only that I acknowledge some people's fear and I don't get offended when politely asked not to.  

Some people have been requested by the police to hand over either their cameras or memory cards because they are not allowed to take photos at public events or in the street.
I have just typed this from an artical in "The Amateur Photographer".
We contacted the association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in a bid to clarify where photographers stand if asked to hand over their camera, film or memory card. In a statement ACPO said: " Police officers may not prevent someone taking a in public unless they suspect Criminal or terrorist intent. Their powers are strictly regulated by law, and once an image has been recorded the police have no power to delete or confiscate it without a court order. This applies equally to members of the media seeking to record images, who do not need a permit to photograph or film in public places."
However, when it comes to handing over your camera the Home Office told us: "The police may remove persons from areas, prevent filming or confiscate equipment where they are responding to an offence or where they suspect an offence is about to happen in order to prevent it from being committed".
This is typed in word for word
Lord R0sser of Ickenham, last week , quized the government over fears that police and other officials are imposing unfair restrictions on photography in public places
I have not heard any results from this as yet.

In the third line down, it should read. taking a photograph in a public place. Sorry the word photograph got left out. My mistook.

oops,that is the sixth line down. Please can we have an edit button before I get someone in trouble. Probably me.