An MEN photograher trying to snap a mass brawl in Spinningfields was left astonished when police arrested him as well.
Experienced snapper Sean Wilton was covering the court appearance at Manchester Magistrates' Court of two men accused of assaulting Big Fat Gypsy Weddings star Paddy Doherty.
When two groups of men began fighting outside court in full public view of passers-by, Sean tried to take pictures of the scene.
But he was stunned when a police officer accused him of breach of the peace and bundled him into a police car.
Pictured: Violent brawl in Spinningfields outside Big Fat Gypsy Weddings court hearing
The arrest was later quashed and he was released without charge. Other M.E.N. photographers were threatened with arrest if they did not delete images they had taken. Sean, 43, said he was originally told by an officer not to take pictures and that he was obstructing them.
Sean said: “He didn’t seem to want to listen and told me that I was obstructing the police.
“I tried to explain I wasn’t obstructing and was just doing my job, but to no avail.
“When I tried to speak to him about the situation, he arrested me for breach of the peace.
“As professional photographers, we do try to conduct ourselves as professionally as possible.”
Fellow MEN photographer Steve Allen, 53, who was also threatened with arrest, said: “We were trying to take pictures of the scene as it unfolded in front of us in a public place.
“We weren’t obstructing them at in any way shape or form. They threatened to confiscate our camera gear on more than one occasion. I think they were well over the top when we were just doing our jobs.”
A police spokesman said: “A photographer was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace and on suspicion of obstructing a police officer. Officers brought the situation under control and the photographer was de-arrested and subsequently released.”
Pictured: Violent brawl in Spinningfields outside Big Fat Gypsy Weddings court hearing
MEN Comment
We report today how one of our photographers was arrested while taking pictures of a street brawl following a court hearing relating to an assault on Big Fat Gypsy Weddings star Paddy Doherty. Other MEN photographers were threatened with arrest if they did not delete images, but refused to do so.
Our photographer was later released without charge. But serious questions remain about the police's attitude to professional journalists doing their job in bearing witness to a newsworthy event in a public place in the middle of Manchester.
Wiser judgement prevailed when senior officers became involved. But this unfortunate incident is evidence of a worrying phenomenon, that some rank and file police officers no longer seem to understand or respect the role of the press.
When we reach the stage that constables decide where we can and cannot point a camera in bringing you the news, we will be living in a police state.
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And I'm sure MEN that you're photographer did everything he was asked by the officers trying to resolve a violent confrontational situation, some media are no better than the paparazzi that hound celebrities to death, just because something is legally allowed doesn't mean it is automatically morally correct, however I do believe there are two sides to every story.
As for "When we reach the stage that constables decide where we can and cannot point a camera in bringing you the news, we will be living in a police state."
I would suggest when Media and photographers rule the streets we're going to be in a troubled state, maybe your photographers can go and be first to help break up the fight, first through the door at a violent domestic, first at the scene of a horrific road traffic accident. It is very easy to criticise but I have no doubt the officers involved were doing there best to resolve this situation
Is the photographer going to pursue a wrongful arrest claim? If not, he should do. These officers should be made to understand that the rule of law applies to them as well.
But they can take pictures of innocent people at a football match, then say its for intelligence ??? Typical GiMP..............Double standards at its best !!
More police abusing and making up laws to harass photographers .
This is not just an issue for press photogs , this is also members of the public taking family photos in city centres .
The law clearly states that it is legal to take pictures in a public place .
I'm surprised that the plod didn't pull out their other favourite ,"anti terrorism" law against the photographers .
The arresting officers need disciplinary action , send out a clear message of the law to the entire UK force .
I doubt for one moment the photographers were in the thick of it!(... " hold it there lads...lovely, now can you punch him to left of his cheek and you pull an angry face!!")
not with the lenses and cameras they use today, they were probably on other side of the street / road out of the way but quite rightly as any news photographer would do, take pics of a possible news story!.
The Police just didnt want to be photographed dealing with it, which when you look at the pics theres about 2 out of 12 where there is one police officer.
Also, rather than reprimanding the photographers, wouldnt it have been more useful to use the pics as possible evidence???
The Professional Press Photographer was lawfully going about his business.
It is NOT for the Police to start policing MORALITY.
Police can review images and footage on scene providing they can articulate a reasonable suspicion for doing so.
They can not delete nor demand an image to be deleted without a court order.
Arrests often seem to be made to temporarily remove the professional witness that is the professional photographer, who is there on behalf of those who can not be to represent the truth.
Some police officers do not seem to realise that in removing the people's witness they are perverting the truth.
Members of the public and the media do not need a permit to film or photograph in public places and police have no power to stop them filming or photographing incidents or police personnel.(cut and paste of police guide lines)
The media can in a public place record Police going about their work.
The Police can not site section 44 of the Terrorism Act, the European Court has proven it illegal and so the home office has amended the rules on its use.
If someone distressed or bereaved asks the police to stop the media recording them, the request can be passed on to the media, but not enforced.
The Police do Not have the right to police morality, only the law.
This goes for the Police themselves too, just because you don't like being photographed does not mean you have any right to stop it.
Peter Fayr please tell your officers to let the media lawfully go about its work without interference or intimidation.
Wll done MEN for standing up to the police and publishing the photos.
"A photographer was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace and on suspicion of obstructing a police officer."
How can you arrest someone to prevent breach of the peace, surely innocent until proven guilty or you have to commit the crime in order to be arrested. Lets arrest that man down the road just in case he commits a crime, where will it end. As for suspicion, either he did or he didnt!!
if you watch the police programes on tv when they are arresting someone and the person being arrested complains about them being filmed the police always say they are free to film where ever they like in public place
If as reported then the photographer would have a glod case to sue the GMP for unlawful arrest. And Mr Fahey is giving them some discretion!!!!!!!
A recent MEN headline
'GMP chief Peter Fahy: Officers should think more about 'common sense' than targets'
It would also be a good idea if they would stick to the law of the land, and not make 'em up as they go along.
Taking photos in a public place is legal.
Just in case GMP are not sure about the law, here it is.
'You are reminded that under UK law, there are no restrictions on taking photographs in a public place or on photography of individuals, whether they are adults or minors. There is no right to privacy in a public place, although photographers are of course subject to the usual libel laws in the same way as any other citizen and should observe them. Equipment or film may not be confiscated, or images deleted by any person or officer unless a warrant for such action is issued. Any attempt without a warrant is considered assault under UK law.'
So - arresting the photographer and demanding him to delete his photos are both not legal.
I was watching one of the many 'Cop Shows' on TV the other day, you know the ones where a cameraman sits in the back of the police car as they do their shift.
On many occasions, when there is an arrest and the person being arrested objects to the camera, the police advise ' This is a public place - he is entitled to film and we cannot stop him'
Even if the police use 'anti-terrorism' laws, this has also been banned by the European Court...... not that a bit of a ruck in Spinningfields qualifies .
it is a shame that far too many coppers are too big for their boots.
I cannot see anything wrong with photographers taking pictures unless the police have got something to hide.
Were the coppers worried that pictures of any 'forceful' arrest might be taken and used against them?
Seems the police did not want any evidence of what they were doing
This sort of police behaviour has been the subject of considerable debate, even in The House ofCommons. This has led to the Home Office releasing a statement about the facts and guidance issued to Chief Constables pointing out that there is no lawful reason to detain someone for taking photographs. So it sounds like Mr Fahy needs to rummage through his files and refresh his memory and tell his officers to behave !
I must say I am also disappointed in the meekness of the MEN comment.on this matter!!
There is no law that states you can not take a photograph in a public place unless it is clearly stated you may not i.e. Defensive Establishment and or government securty building or something that is copyrighted i.e. a film set. Its also best not to take photos in areas where there are children as this is a third rail subject. If a police office asks you to move, then move if it is for yours and their own safety. Also the police service do not have any authority to request deletion or handing over of photographic material. A court order is required to do this activity based on reasonable grounds. I am not anti-police but I do strongly object to hinderance to indivduals who are going about their business in a legal and morally acceptable way,
But Remember who owns Menmedia Group. for people that dont know Trinity Mirror so was the Photos only for MEN or for the full Mirror group and if that the case they want more meater photos to sell papars
Maybe the coppers should learn the laws and when to justifiably enforce it, otherwise they look like the bully muppets many of us believe them to be.
Proof
Look at how Ian Tomlinson was dealt with.
It’s a hard job but they make it harder for themselves.
Whether it's the press or not this abuse of power is too common.
The sad truth is that the police are paranoid about being caught on camera because the world gets to see the level of violence they employ when trying to deal with the general public. Considering that they are employed to enforce the law, it's a shame that they have no confidence in the law.
The police genuinely believe they can do whatever they like.They cannot comprehend that the law applies to them as well as anyone else.
how dare thes officers interfere with the press.....these police officers should have been disciplined..........many police officers now regard themselves above the law .
what next.....will the police start to arrest reporters for writing about police corruption
Quite shameful of GMP, two crimes in one day. The first the unlawful arrest of the photographer. The second, as mentioned elsewhere, a crime against the English language “de-arrested”! It's like some form of Newspeak, though the unlawful arrest of the photographer could equally come straight from the pages of 1984.
More double standards from our local constabulary. Shame they don't practice what they preach when they are stuffing video cameras in your face everytime you go to a football match, irrespective of whether you are doing anything or not!
The Police office the UK stinks, with the increase use of digital cameras by the public , we are now seeing the truth about the police , this applies to the whole legal system from the top to the bottom it stinks.
The MEN's comment is interesting. "Rank and file police officers no longer seem to understand or respect the role of the press". Respect is a two-way street and needs to be earned. Perhaps if you took a more impartial approach to how you report on Greater Manchester Police you would have the respect from rank and file officers you seems to think is your right. I'd hate to live in a police state, but living in a state run by the media - which bluntly in our society is a much bigger risk - is much, much scarier.