Should this photo be destroyed?

Some on London’s police force seem to think so.

Klaus Matzka, an Austrian who says his and his teenaged son’s photos of London transport sites were deleted recently by police officers who approached them on the street: "I understand the need for some sensitivity in an era of terrorism, but isn't it naive to think terrorism can be prevented by terrorising tourists?"

Note to the Metropolitan Police: the words ‘terrorist’ and ‘tourist’ only sounded the same when George Bush said them.

Incidentally, if you are interested in things like freedom or expression or, for that matter, good literature from cultures other than your own, check out the Free the Word! festival. It starts tonight and runs throughout the weekend on London’s Southbank. (As last year, I’m co-editing a blog about the festival at freetheblog.typepad.com.)

Comments

[Pete]

This isn't the first time this has happened. Google "UK photography law" to find more examples.

When I'm in London, I always make sure I'm carrying a few copies of the relevant bits of UK law as it relates to photography - police harassment of photographers is badly prevalent in London.

http://www.urban75.org/photos/photographers-rights-and-the-law.html