Appreciate this isn't a 'wildlife' topic but one I thought worth raising awareness of...
BBC NEWS | UK | Is it a crime to take pictures?
From today, anyone taking a photograph of a police officer could be deemed to have committed a criminal offence under a new law - Section 76 of the Counter Terrorism Act - which has come into force.
It permits the arrest of anyone found "eliciting, publishing or communicating information" relating to members of the armed forces, intelligence services and police officers, which is "likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".
That means anyone taking a picture of one of those people could face a fine or a prison sentence of up to 10 years, if a link to terrorism is proved.
Whilst I am in no way trying to be alarmist regarding yet another law from the OESI, like many laws, if interpreted and implemented with a modicum of common sense
it should be for the 'greater-good' - however there is always the potential for one of us to be approached by an enthusiastic 'officer of the leur' hell-bent on meeting his/her arrest targets - just be careful who you point your camera at
