Photographer's rights gets a higher profile

Unfortunately yes, because it seems to be on the increase.
There have been other incidents of police involvement in things they had no right to. I think the feeling amongst some in the UK is that there is a slow, barely perceptible erosion of civil liberties. That is why this topic keeps raising its head.

Also, as for was he identifiable as BBC? My interpretation from that interview was that he was on his way home and just stopped to take the shot, so I would presume he was just "joe public" and didn't have a "Press" badge

Does anyone else recall having a smug laugh at the paranoia of the police in communist Moscow as they routinely obstructed tourists taking photos?

... trying to say something here but must be tactful because most of you are British

I think the UK does overact a lot of times with these things they feel they need to protect.

Do you all remember some time ago with some child photos here, where the child had barely any cloths on. I was pretty stunned with the comments some people wrote here.

Then there was also the matter about a family who took a photo of their children everyday since they were born.
The exposition of the photos was no problem at all in the USA and in the UK it was the opposite, he did they dare to take a photo of their child everyday!

So yeah what to say...

I don't live in the UK so have different view and would be interesting to see what other members outside the UK have to comment.

I believe that Jack can give some more insight since he live in Spain and
Nathan as well since he is Italian and living in the UK.

No offence taken Stefan, suddenly he Netherlands are looking very appealing.

I think we are currently suffering from our own brand of mccarthyism in this country, for me it is a great shame.

That's right these countries where you have to carry an Id card and produce it on demand are always so appealing. I just love them - and that covers pretty much all mainland Europe I believe?

Mike are you talking about the Netherlands now?
We already discuss that topic and like you portray it is not true.

You must carry an ID but you only need to show it when you're being stopped by the police and even then they mostly only ask it when they are writing a ticked for you.... so nice
But if they can't ID you, you need to go to the station right, probably also in the UK so what is worse, ID yourself or going to the police station?

We aren't the UK that hang cameras everywhere

My point exactly and not just the Netherlands most European countries. You have to have your id card and when the police want it you are obliged to produce it. That's a real freedom that is. But you're right we are covering old ground, I just get irritated a comment like Technoblurb's is made. I would find it really annoying not be able to go out without first checking I have my 'papers' with me.

However, I apologise for reacting.

Does the UK hang cameras everywhere? I doubt that I'd find one within 4 miles except at petrol stations that have car registration recognition.

Mike

Mike you're just making a problem out of nothing and don't be so silly to apologise reacting

The police can not come up to you and ask you to show your ID, they need a reason to ask for it. As long as you don't break any laws you won't be asked, just thrust me on this.
Your driving licenses is most of the time good enough btw, well not by law but the police find it good enough most of the time.
So it's not like you carry a paper extra since probably most of you carry a driving license anyway.

McCarthyism is going too far to describe the UK but it appears to have some sign of it.
You as photographer are accused off terrorism because you're photographing a building and when you're photographing birds in the park where children play now then you must "love" little children but it's all without proof.
Wasn't that what happened to Amin once in the park?

In Germany at least you don't have to have your ID with you, that's an urban myth.
If you don't have it with you and the police want to ID you they take you to the station. That's what they would do in the UK as well. There is no fine or other trouble related to you not carrying your ID. (Which is, I believe, different for driving without having the papers for the vehicle and the driving licence with you. Again, no big trouble, you have to show them in a police station near you and get a smallish fine.)

Prieni

Prieni in the Netherlands you are fined when you don't have them though.

I stand corrected. In the UK I'm pretty sure you don't need your driving licence unless they have changed the law. You just have to produce it at a local police station.

Sadly my ignorance is once again on show - but as always I am happy to be corrected

Mike

PS Having used Wiki I know see my information based on tourist guides is quite wrong and another of my prejudices bites the dust!

In Canada, nobody will ever stop you for taking a photograph, except for a very short list of things, like a federal jail. Most of the time, you can even take pictures of kids in public area, and nobody will blink an eye. And you don't have to carry ID. But, like everywhere else, if you are arrested for anything and you don't have any ID, you are going to be taken to the police station for proper ID.

So far, I'm glad I'm living in Canada.

Well Mike I do seam to have pushed a particular button, however I to am a British Citizen and have a right to free speech or does the country you espouse to not allow that? But I still stand by what I said and make no apologies for my view.

Just for the record in the UK if you are driving you do not need to carry any papers whatsoever, but if stopped you may be asked to produce them at any police station within 5 days. I have never carried any papers whilst driving for 35 years and have only been asked to produce documents when stopped for speeding.

Sure technoblurb of course you are entitled to your opinion and I can respond to it. Our country isn't the terrible place the tabloids and others would have us believe (IMO) and I don't understand why there seems to be this need to run the place down.

No offence was intended and I should know better than to let my feelings lead me to intemperate posts.

Mike