UK - train spotters treated like terrorists

[John Ashworth]

The train spotters who are being treated like terrorists

By James Slack
Daily Mail
Last updated at 4:05 PM on 05th January 2009

Police are using draconian anti-terrorism powers against trainspotters, it has emerged.

Enthusiasts innocently taking photographs of carriages and noting serial numbers have been accused of behaving like a reconnaissance unit for a terror cell.

The Prevention of Terrorism Act 2000 has been used to stop a staggering 62,584 people at railway stations.

Another 87,000 were questioned under separate 'stop and search' and 'stop and account' legislation.

The figures were uncovered by Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker, who warned that Britain was sliding towards a 'police state'.

The revelation will increase concern that the controversial anti-terror powers are being used ' disproportionately'. Police have already employed them to suppress protests against the Government.

Mr Baker said: 'While it is important to be vigilant about the threat of terrorism to the transport network, the sheer scale of the number of people stopped by police on railway property is ridiculous.

'Law-abiding passengers get enough hassle on overcrowded trains as it is without the added inconvenience of over-zealous policing.

'The anti-terror laws allow officers to stop people for taking photographs and I know this has led to innocent trainspotters being stopped.

'This is an abuse of anti-terrorism powers and a worrying sign that we are sliding towards a police state.

'Trainspotting may be an activity of limited, and indeed questionable, appeal, but it is not a criminal offence and it is not a terrorist threat.'

The 'Section 44' power has been used to stifle a number of protests against the Government.

In 2005, it was deployed against 82-year-old Walter Wolfgang when he made an anti-war protest during the Labour Party conference.

The legislation gives police the power to search any individual in any area designated by the Home Secretary to help protect against acts of terrorism.

There does not even need to be any reasonable grounds of suspicion that a crime is about to take place.

British Transport Police were unable to give specific figures for the numbers of railway enthusiasts stopped under these powers.

But in a letter to Mr Baker, the force's Chief Constable, Ian Johnston, said: 'There is clear guidance available to officers (and railway enthusiasts), and this has been reissued on a number of occasions over the last couple of months in response to the increased concern among some railway enthusiasts'.

Last October, the Daily Mail reported how a schoolboy was held as a terror suspect for taking photographs of a railway station during a school geography field trip.

Fabian Sabbara, 15, was dressed in the uniform of Rutlish High School in Merton, South London, when he was stopped at nearby Wimbledon station by three police community support officers.

PCSO Barry Reeve told Fabian, from nearby Cheam, to sign forms under Section 44 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The teenager was forced to comply or face arrest.

[John Ashworth]

The Daily Mail is a notoriously right-wing tabloid, so anything they say needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, especially when it includes an opportunity to knock the Labour government. Nevertheless even the respectable specialist railway press now frequently comments on the problems facing railway enthusiasts these days. It has been alluded to in other threads on this forum, and the British Transport Police have even issued guidelines (also available elsewhere on this forum), but it seems the message has not sunk in to the rank and file police and railway employees.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Indeed.

Or perhaps they should be saying to photographer who has a high profile - interim velim a sole mihi non obstes!

[John Ashworth]

MP stopped and search under anti-terror laws for taking pictures

Andrew Sparrow and agencies
guardian.co.uk,
Wednesday 7 January 2009 15.53 GMT

An MP has been stopped and searched by police officers under anti-terror laws after he was seen taking photographs near a railway station.

Andrew Pelling, MP for Croydon Central, aroused suspicion when he was taking pictures of a cycle path in his constituency because he was collecting evidence about the problems caused to cyclists by maintenance works.

When the two officers confronted him, he presented them with his Commons pass as proof of identity. But the police continued to question him and they searched his bag before issuing him with a stop-and-search notice and letting him go. No further action was taken.

The MP said later it was "pleasing to see just how vigilant" the police had been. A police spokeswoman confirmed that a search had been carried out under section 44 of the Terrorism Act.

Pelling was elected in 2005 as a Conservative MP. But he had the Tory whip withdrawn after being arrested in 2007 in connection with an alleged assault and, even though he subsequently was not charged, he now sits in the Commons as an independent.

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

I had no issues on my last rip and took stacks of photos.

I was watched a few times, and comment on by security, but they only spoke to me one at Liverpool Street to say if I wanted to take a lot more pictures I should get a pass from 'Information" - which they also said would allow me further access to other areas.

But it is clear that it would only take a small push to step over the mark!

[Tom Macrery]

John's is a well known saying. But Kevin's has me stumped. I get all the words, but the meaning in this context evades me. Teach me some Latin, Kevin. Thanks, Tom

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

It means "For now I want you not to stand in the sun" !

It was the only Latin phrase I could think of that was vaguely relevant, as I wanted to try and respond to John with something Latin!