On the Record

April 2010 In the run-up to the 2010 General Election, SceneThat received written assurances from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats that they would review the use of anti-terrorism legislation, particularly s44. Both parties agreed that under the Labour Government powers available under anti-terrorism legislation were being used for reasons entirely unrelated to those for which they were put on the statute book.

14th December 2009 John Yates, Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations, reminded all MPS officers and staff that people taking photographs in public should not be stopped and searched unless there is a valid reason.

25th November 2009: Mr Denis O'Connor (the Chief Inspector of Constabulary) said that the principle of policing by public consent had been severely undermined - in his report into policing the G20 protests in London, earlier that year. Read his report in full here

1st April 2009: a debate took place in Parliament (House of Commons) concerning Photography in Public Places. The official record in Hansard can be found here .

16th July 2008: a debate took place in Parliament (House of Lords) concerning Photography in Public Places. The official record in Hansard can be found here .

11th March 2008: Austin Mitchell MP tabled an Early Day Motion relating to the public's right to photograph public places which attracted 245 supporting signatures. The official record can be found here .