National guidelines for police handling of press photographers could be drawn up after the issue was raised in the House of Lords.

The Government has now agreed to meet with police associations and union chiefs to discuss press photography in public places.

Lord Richard Rosser brought the matter before the House when he addressed the Government’s representative Lord Bassam of Brighton.

He said: “Is he aware that magazines for photographers are reporting that photographers, including professional press photographers, are being challenged by police and private security guards when taking photographs in the street and other public places?

“Photographers are sometimes filmed themselves; they are told to move on or asked for their name and address. They feel that they are being harassed.

“Will my noble friend seek discussions with the Association of Chief Police Officers and other interested parties with a view to establishing clearer guidelines?”

Lord Bassam replied: “I have a great deal of sympathy for the viewpoint expressed…..I too have heard those concerns; indeed, friends and family have been affected by this.

“Tony McNulty, Home Office Minister for Security, Counter-terrorism, Crime and Policing, will shortly meet Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, to discuss some of the issues raised as well as guidelines for journalists.

“We will also make contact with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the National Policing Improvement Agency about the provision of national guidelines for use by police forces.”

The relationship between police and press photographer covering public events has been generating many headlines recently.

It was revealed earlier this month that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said policing of photographers could be left to individual forces.

Photographers have complained of harassment and intimidation by officers with some even being filmed by the police.

Austin Mitchell MP also tabled an Early Day Motion calling for protection of the rights of photographers in public places.

Comments

A Photographer (09/08/2008 11:37:31)
I think we need to protest on the streets in every town and city in the UK. show our strength on a set day “freedom of photography day” by photographing everything on mass. We need to show that photography is a job and hobby enjoyed by all ages, race and gender not an act of terror
Fact; More people own cameras than own footballs in the UK.
Fact; More people own cameras now than ever in the history of photography.
Fact; The “war on photography” has to stop NOW!
Mike

Mr nonymous (01/09/2008 20:36:06)
I am constantly harassed, held, told to move on, had threats to have my equipment confiscated, even had threats to have my car crushed whilst carrying out my work as a press card holding press photographer, arrested and de-arrested for photographing a police motorcycle on a double yellow, rights, with the police ?
Don’t make me laugh

press photographer (05/10/2008 20:14:39)
About time!! It seems the NUJ has lost its balls, we are the press, we should be able to take photographs as a pro with out the constant attention of the police and with out some wanna be cop (security guard) giving us grief, I myself have been assaulted by police and security guards on several occasions and i have even been told that if i filed a complaint then i would be arrested. We need to stand together and stand up for our rights and stop being such push overs!!

Tony (07/10/2008 10:42:39)
I was stopped by a policeman whilst covering a village fete a couple of months ago and questioned why I was photographing children! If this so called officer of the law had watched me he would have seen that I asked the permission of each and every parent BEFORE photographing their child. The only one I didn’t get permission for was a group of dancers in the main arena. Everyone else was taking photographs with their camera phones etc, they were not questioned and felt like a criminal. All I was doing was my job for my paper. Even after showing the copper my press card and company id he even proceeded to ask me my personal details, address dob etc. This has got to stop and it is about time our lovely government did something about this disease which is spreading to all photographers simply trying to record and image from an event for all to see in the newspapers. Wake up Britain and stop thinking everyone with a camera is either a paedophile or terrorist!

eddie (11/11/2008 22:24:40)
Its a fine line , as with Tony’s comments , if that was me I would have introduced myself to the organiser and possibly the copper to , you should be a on first names terms with local bobby if you work locally-this will pay dividends for the odd tip off in the future if all goes well , I can understand the copper ,he is doing his job , there are plenty of fake press cards out there and plenty of sickos too, and if he is pulled by a policeman you should know that the snapper is not a fake -I am not being all be on the policemans side -I to get sick of ‘what do you think you are doing’ this is a pcso or a new bobby on the beat who wants to show off his new found power !

Tony (05/12/2008 12:12:12)
Just to clarify the point raised by Eddie. I did – as I always do – report to the organiser on the day. The copper had just turned up and although I have been working in the area for 14 years I didn’t know the local copper at all, as he didn’t know me. I make a point of getting to know all the local coppers as you say Eddie, it pays dividends many times. This copper was pulled up by his boss the following week for his attitude and I did get a written apology from the force involved. He was and still is an obnoxious person who needs a lesson in how to deal with the people he comes in contact with. Oh well some coppers are great to deal with and then some are, well………..