The Home Office has ignored a mass protest over the use of police stop and search powers against photographers taking pictures in public places and decided the controversial practice should continue.

Around 2,000 amateur and professional photographers gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square on Saturday as part of the campaign ‘I’m a Photographer, not a Terrorist.’

The group was launched in response to what campaigners say is the growing number of photographers being stopped and searched by police under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

But the Home Office has now confirmed that it has no plans to halt the practice even though the European Court of Human Rights has declared it is illegal.

Section 44 gives officers and police community support officers the power to stop and search anyone in a designated area without the need for suspicion.

Exact areas where the powers can be enforced are not made public but they often include places thought to be at risk of terrorist attacks such as famous landmarks.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Stop and search under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 is an important tool in a package of measures in the on-going fight against terrorism.

“We are disappointed with the European Court of Human Rights ruling in this case as we won on these challenges in the UK courts, including in the House of Lords.

“We are considering the judgment and will seek to appeal. Pending the outcome of this appeal, the police will continue to have these powers available to them.”

Last month the Association of Chief Police Officers sent a strongly worded email to all 43 forces in England and Wales saying it was “unacceptable” to use Section 44 powers to “unnecessarily restrict photography” by either amateur or professional snappers.

One of the hundreds of photos taken at the protest in London. Pic courtesy of Chris Cheesman, news editor with AmateurPhotographer.co.uk.

For hundreds more photos visit the protest’s page on Facebook.