Waterloo station s44 search, the movie
Posted on: Wed, 08/20/2008 - 17:59
Waterloo station s44 search, the movie
Terence Eden gets stopped and searched under s44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 at Waterloo station, and makes a movie of this 'security theatre' whilst it's happening.
Eden was not taking photos prior to being searched, and police did not object to him videoing the search, so this incident does not qualify as an incursion into photo rights. However it'w worth viewing for an insight into the sheer pointless banality of these routine and arbitrary searches, backed up nonetheless by the threat of arrest for non-compliance
Here the Westminster Police misuse Section 44 to stop themselves being filmed not doing anything about a public disturbance.
Check out a new website dedicated to exposing UK police misconduct etc.
http://www.StopPolice.com
It's an embedded video so I have no control over the server or size. It works OK here, but like any streaming video, network congestion (or load on the server) could be disrupting streaming. Try the direct URL http://www.qik.com/video/203590 or try again later, is all I can suggest.
Photorights admin
Hi, I've tried several times to watch this video, but it just won't buffer! I have no problems with most stuff on YouTube, etc, and can watch the 'Breaking News' film posted on this site without problems, so I don't think it is my broadband speed.
Is it possible to re-post it at a size that makes it viewable by all!?
Brummie.
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 section 3 subsection 3 states:
"the record of a search of a person shall include a note of his name if the constable knows it, but a constable may not detain a person to find out his name."
Subsection 4 continues:
" if a constable does not know the name of a person searched, the record of the search shall include a note otherwise describing that person."
The Home Office website is http://www.homeoffice.gove.uk/police/powers/stop-and-search/?view=Standa...
Page 1 says:
"What information will I need to provide?"
"You don't have to give your name, address or date of birth to the police if you're stopped and searched unless you're being reported for an offence."
These last two sentences are the ones I have highlighted on the sheets I carry.
The film shows the second officer starting off by acting contrary to the BTP leaflet on "stop and search". He should have given his name and station.
http://www.btp.police.uk/documents/stop%20and%20search%20english%20nov%2...
"What happens if I am stopped and searched?
" * Before you are searched the officer should tell you:
" * that you must wait to be searched
" * the legislative power that allows the search, and your rights
" * their identity
" * the station they work at
" * what they are looking for
" * that you have the right to be given a form showing details of the stop and search."
On the theft of personal information by the second police officer the same leaflet also says
"The officer will ask you for your name, address and date of birth. You do not have to give this information if you do not want to, unless the officer says they are reporting you for an offence. If this is the case, you could be arrested if you don’t tell them."
That statement does not tie up with the claims of BTP regarding their fancy toy
http://www.btp.police.uk/stopandsearch.html
"The aim of the BTP Mobile Data Project is to deliver a mobile data solution based around Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) using GPRS to connect into a number of key force systems.
" * NSPIS Command & Control
" * PNC (Police National Computer)
" * Voters register
" * FIS (Force Intelligence System) including stops
" * Update Force Crime System."
They cannot do any of this without stealing personal information from their victims.
its amazing what you can train a couple of monkeys to do if you give them a little cheque every month
What a couple of arrogant and rude w@nkers hiding behind their uniforms!! I think the guy being harrassed big time has all the patience of a saint. They also need serious lessons in customer service.
@David
Sadly the police are adept at finding things to arrest you for if they want a reason. Obstruction (of the footway), or obstruction of a policeman in performance of his duty, are both time-honoured favourites frequently deployed against press photographers long before Terror legislation. It's enough to allow arrest and a trip to the police station along with ID checks. Usually the charges are dropped after a few hours - although as Alan Lodge discovered, not always.
The other downside of not disclosing your identity is that you'll likely find it harder to get a copy of the 'chit' which is a record of the s44 search, and which you'll need for any complaint. And you may be detained a lot longer and searched more thoroughly.
I'm not saying either approach is right or wrong, people must make up their own minds.
PACE searches are restricted to defined grounds, eg offensive weapons, drugs, stolen property, crossbow parts(!)... if anything is found that plausibly comprises an offence, arrest and ID checks will ensue.
Photorights admin
Why don't the government and the police just accept that this Stop and search policy is a complete waste of time and more likely to alienate perfectly law abiding people.
What would have happened had the person in the film been about to catch a train on which he was booked and then missed his train. Would the police buy a replacement ticket for him?
What if you refuse to be searched and are then arrested? Do you sue for wrongful arrest?
Very worrying times.
david,
subsection and wording would be nice please, so I too can carry it around with me cheers brummie
and the highlighted lines I might need
Post new comment