"Boycott Braehead" campaign over yet more anti-photographer stupidity

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...-west-15236758

Security staff -and then the police - became involved when a man was spotted taking pictures of his own daughter at an ice cream stall at the Braehead shopping centre near Glasgow.

The security guard demanded he delete his photos and called in Strathclyde's finest when the man refused. After threatening to confiscate the phone under anti-terrorism legislation, the police eventually left him alone taking no further action.

However, the perhaps inevitable 'boycott Braehead' campaign has now gone viral and the shopping centre has a PR disaster on its hands. Bunch of flaming muppets.

[Stephen]

Apparently it was all down to some muppet working at the Ice Cream stand that called security because a 'man' was taking a photo of a little girl. I mean come on, why suddenly is every bloke now a potential paedo! Its blooming ridiculous.

So if I go to Braehead at the weekend and take a photo of my 13yr old step daughter would I be reported? Makes my blood boil.

The security guard also claimed it was illegal to take photos in the centre, however they may have signs up asking you not to take photos, its not actually illegal in anyway.

The Police also acted in a really over the top way, citing the anti-terrorism laws. It used to be perfectly fine for photographers to go around taking pictures of anything but now its really scary.

/Wonders whether Derek was involved ...

I have loads of photos of my children at Braehead, including my daughter at the Build a Bear workshop last year. And a video, for that matter. Didn't see any security guards, but I can't help thinking what might have happened had I been seen acting like a terrorist on a Sunday afternoon out with my family.

They really are a shower of morons and they richly deserve the publicity kicking they are getting right now.

[Stephen]

Just noticed the BBC story has a few errors. Most noticabley the wee girl was referred to as Hazel but later in the story as Holly, lmao! Great proof reading there!

Well, it's the most read story on the BBC, is adding about 20 'likes' per minute on the farcebook (almost 3,800 so far) and #BraeheadFail is racing up the charts on Twitter. So far, all Braehead has managed to do is to issue a rather pathetic statement bleating about being safe rather than sorry and completely failing to apologise in any way whatsoever.

The Braehead shopping centre is delivering a masterclass in how not to do crisis PR at the moment.

[techguyone]

I wish someone in govt would clear up once and for all what is and isn't allowed, I suspect half the problems are that no one really knows, so they err on the side of caution.

A number of people have posted advice in the Boycott Braehead Facebook group. This is something that photographers now seem to face with depressing regularity. There is some good info here, including a cut-out-and-keep "know your rights" card the next time an over-zealous copper says he's thinking of dealing with you as a suspected terrorist whilst you're trying to enjoy a quiet ice cream sundae with your four-year-old daughter.

http://www.informationisbeautiful.ne...hts-in-the-uk/

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Chris

A number of people have posted advice in the Boycott Braehead Facebook group. This is something that photographers now seem to face with depressing regularity. There is some good info here, including a cut-out-and-keep "know your rights" card the next time an over-zealous copper says he's thinking of dealing with you as a suspected terrorist whilst you're trying to enjoy a quiet ice cream sundae with your four-year-old daughter.

http://www.informationisbeautiful.ne...hts-in-the-uk/

I suppose the question then becomes whether or not Braehead Shopping Centre is a 'public space'. I suspect it's not, so it would potentially remain a grey area.

Well done to Mr. white though for sticking to his guns. I suspect many members of the public would simple have complied with the guard/police to avoid the hassle.

[Pauls9]

As my son has found out, even if you've done nothing wrong, once a police officer mentions the terrorism act and you refuse to cooperate, you're risking being taken down to the station, held for several hours and intimately strip searched.

Photography in a public space can be a minefield. Although I carry a note similar to the one referred to above (thanks for the link), my wife sometimes gets very nervous when I get my camera out in the street and there's a possibility of people being in shot.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by Chris

After threatening to confiscate the phone under anti-terrorism legislation

Oh no they didn't.

I wasn't involved but Ive heard from a very reliable source the guys story has only a vague relationship with the truth.

[Hom3r]

If any copper arrested me over this I would make sure that the child I was with would NOT leave my side, I'ld say "How do I know you are not going to put her with a Paedo, and that I don't give a dam about any so called 'checks' that have been done as they only say thay haven't been caught of doing anything wrong."

I reckon that I've had more security checks that the avearge PC. (I not only had a full background check, plus it included my family and familes family.)

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Pauls9

As my son has found out, even if you've done nothing wrong, once a police officer mentions the terrorism act and you refuse to cooperate, you're risking being taken down to the station, held for several hours and intimately strip searched.

Photography in a public space can be a minefield. Although I carry a note similar to the one referred to above (thanks for the link), my wife sometimes gets very nervous when I get my camera out in the street and there's a possibility of people being in shot.

It shouldn't be. There is nothing against the law when taking photos in public. You usually dont need people's permission unless you are taking a photo for business use or public display.

Originally Posted by Derek

Oh no they didn't.

I wasn't involved but Ive heard from a very reliable source the guys story has only a vague relationship with the truth.

I do hope that's the case. In all honesty I have difficulty understanding why the polis spent more than 30 seconds on this. Braehead is private property and once it was clear that no criminal disturbance was underway they should have just cleared off and let the centre's own staff deal with what is 'a civil matter'.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by Chris

I do hope that's the case. In all honesty I have difficulty understanding why the polis spent more than 30 seconds on this. Braehead is private property and once it was clear that no criminal disturbance was underway they should have just cleared off and let the centre's own staff deal with what is 'a civil matter'.

What's more likely? That the Police got involved as the guy was being a twonk with security who were investigating a legitimate concern (not involving his daughter) and when he started getting "I pay your wages", put him in his place and left him to it or they got involved with an honest belief he was an undercover suicide bomber.

He had every right to be a "twonk" - its about time people stopped sticking there noses in where they dont belong. If taking photos is legal, there was no need for anyone to have done or said anything.