Photographer stopped under anti-terror laws may sue police

A photographer is to launch a legal complaint after being stopped and searched by police on suspicion of being a terrorist while he took pictures of London's skyline.

Grant Smith, a renowned architectural photographer, was stopped and searched under Section 44 anti-terror powers while photographing a building in the City yesterday.

At first he was stopped by security staff outside One Aldermanbury Square who told him he was not allowed to take pictures of the building.

Then police were called. They held his arms while his possessions were searched and he was questioned about his identity and purpose. It happened six months after police stopped him photographing another City landmark and questioned him.

In November last year the Standard highlighted concern over the use of police powers after revealing that a BBC photographer was stopped by police on suspicion of being a terrorist as he took pictures outside Tate Modern.

Jeff Overs, 48, was photographing sunset over St Paul's Cathedral when a policewoman, with a community support officer, told him she was "stopping people who were taking photographs, as a counter-terrorism measure" and demanded his name, address and date of birth.

The controversy over photographers and tourists being stopped by police led to Britain's head of counter terrorism, Assistant Commissioner John Yates, issuing a memo to London's borough commanders reminding them it was not illegal to take pictures of buildings.

Mr Smith described how police held him by his arms while he was questioned and searched.
He said: "They took away my camera, notebook and phone so I could not record what they were doing. I thought their reaction was completely disproportionate. I found it was a publicly humiliating experience. It was a bit like being mugged by teenagers."

Mr Smith said he was consulting lawyers about the legality of the stop.

A City of London Police spokesman said: "A man was spoken to by officers on Monday after police were called by security personnel. He was later searched under terrorism powers."

One officer commented: "There are hundreds of people who take photographs in the City every day and they do not have any issues. Sometimes it would be helpful if people responded when asked what their business was.

"The risk of terrorism is always there and we do not intend to drop our guard."