Police vigilance ?

[futureTom]

Seems like a normal day; got camera, left house, weaved past local schoolkids, went to bus stop, checked timetable . . .
"Excuse me sir, can I ask what you are doing with the camera" came a polisman's voice from above my head. I looked up a bit surprised to see two of the buggers eyeing me up suspiciously. "Err, taking photographs, why" says I.
"Taking photographs of what, sir"
"Anything that comes to mind"
"Can I see what's on the camera?"
So I show him the pictures and he compiments me on the loveliness of
my photographs . . . nice.
"I'm sure you can understand my suspicions, with a big camera like that near a school, sir"
"Eh, sure"
"That's good sir, I won't need to take any further action. You understand it's my duty to be vigilant"

Scary, but I suppose he was doing his duty, and there are a lot of scumbags out there. I felt a bit sullied by it. The ironic thing is, the lens I was using was a 12-24mm wide zoom, which is pretty rubbish for photographic sneakiness. Now if I had a 200-400mm zoom . . .

[brickwall]

Lucky you didn't tell the truth - that you were on the way to the to stake out the ladies loo in Kelvingrove.

[futureTom]

Lucky you didn't tell the truth - that you were on the way to the to stake out the ladies loo in Kelvingrove.

Oh, of course, err, ahem, the ladies loo.

[hazy]

Hey futureTom maybe one day you could go to your own childrens school and take pictures.

[MotoMad]

He doesnt have the right to look at whats on your camera.

[Smartalex]

He doesnt have the right to look at whats on your camera.

If you deny him does he have the right to lift you for refusing?

[MotoMad]

He doesnt have the right to look at whats on your camera.

If you deny him does he have the right to lift you for refusing?

I've not been lifted for refusing several times.might be my luck right enough.

[John]

Seems like a normal day; got camera, left house, weaved past local schoolkids, went to bus stop, checked timetable . . .
"Excuse me sir, can I ask what you are doing with the camera" came a polisman's voice from above my head. I looked up a bit surprised to see two of the buggers eyeing me up suspiciously. "Err, taking photographs, why" says I.
"Taking photographs of what, sir"
"Anything that comes to mind"
"Can I see what's on the camera?"
So I show him the pictures and he compiments me on the loveliness of
my photographs . . . nice.
"I'm sure you can understand my suspicions, with a big camera like that near a school, sir"
"Eh, sure"
"That's good sir, I won't need to take any further action. You understand it's my duty to be vigilant"

Scary, but I suppose he was doing his duty, and there are a lot of scumbags out there. I felt a bit sullied by it. The ironic thing is, the lens I was using was a 12-24mm wide zoom, which is pretty rubbish for photographic sneakiness. Now if I had a 200-400mm zoom . . .

This sort of thing makes my blood boil. What with ID cards and everything 1984 is here so watch out for the thought police. Why doesn't the govt just declare us all to be criminals by intent and put a big fence around Britain and turn it into an island jail?

[Dugald]

If I were a schoolteacher and saw someone I didn't know taking pictures in the area of the school, I'd inform the police, with the hope they'd send someone to investigate. Mind you I live in a city with six different Federal prisons in the region, in which many of the scumbag types mentioned by Futuretom, are incarcerated. Hmmm, I think I'd be suspicious even in Glasgow. Hey, aren't the police on our side?

[futureTom]

If I were a schoolteacher and saw someone I didn't know taking pictures in the area of the school, I'd inform the police, with the hope they'd send someone to investigate. Mind you I live in a city with six different Federal prisons in the region, in which many of the scumbag types mentioned by Futuretom, are incarcerated. Hmmm, I think I'd be suspicious even in Glasgow. Hey, aren't the police on our side?

Wasn't taking photos at school, just happen to live next to one.

[elgee]

A somewhat sad reflection on the way life has become but as someone whose family has suffered due to certain photographs being "doctored" so now being very aware how seemingly innocent snaps of children can be used and abused I have to agree with you Dugald. I think the policeman was right to investigate.

[futureTom]

A somewhat sad reflection on the way life has become but as someone whose family has suffered due to certain photographs being "doctored" so now being very aware how seemingly innocent snaps of children can be used and abused I have to agree with you Dugald. I think the policeman was right to investigate.

Sorry to hear about that, Elgee.
I can understand his suspiciousness, but I feel a bit distanced, probably due to my not having children of my own. I would also thought that someone wanting to take covert photos of children would most likely use a more discreet type of camera or even a cameraphone.

[My Kitten]

Haud the horses! The discussion isnt about chiild pornography or doctored pics but about being able to take photographs outside.

I was out yesterday and saw a nice 50's style primary school now if I took a photo of the building would the headmaster be right in condemming me as a prospective paedo and alerting the police? Are we all classed as prospective criminals? What percentage of the population actually take photos of children for dodgy useage?

[John]

Haud the horses! The discussion isnt about chiild pornography or doctored pics but about being able to take photographs outside.

I was out yesterday and saw a nice 50's style primary school now if I took a photo of the building would the headmaster be right in condemming me as a prospective paedo and alerting the police? Are we all classed as prospective criminals? What percentage of the population actually take photos of children for dodgy useage?

Well said MK. I am tiring of this climate of fear and suspicion and the small minded people who perpetuate it.

[red_kola]

I was out yesterday and saw a nice 50's style primary school now if I took a photo of the building would the headmaster be right in condemming me as a prospective paedo and alerting the police? Are we all classed as prospective criminals? What percentage of the population actually take photos of children for dodgy useage?

There's a past present I haven't yet done because I'm really not sure what the reaction would be to me pointing my camera at a special school. This thread has answered my question and sadly convinced me never to try and bother. What a fucked up world we live in...