British Journal of Photography - Merrill Lynch issues statement after security guards call police on photographer

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Daily News	9 December 2009

Merrill Lynch issues statement after security guards call police on photographer Bank of America-Merrill Lynch has issued a statement to BJP addressing yesterday's incident that saw two security guards call the police reporting the 'suspicious' activities of architectural photographer Grant Smith Smith, an award-winning architectural and construction photographer, was taking photos of the Wren's Christchurch in the City of London. Next to the church's remains was the Bank of America - Merrill Lynch building, from which a security guard emerged, Smith told BJP yesterday. When the photographer refused to give his details to the guards, the police were called. Three police cars and one vans arrived at the scene with up to seven armed police officers quizing the photographer. Read our full report here. Today, a spokeswoman for Bank of America-Merrill Lynch has issued an official statement to BJP, claiming that the guards had acted appropriately. 'At Bank of America-Merrill Lynch, we take security issues very seriously. We remain vigilent at all times and as part of our standard operating procedures, report any suspicious activities to the police.' Yesterday, a spokesman for the City of London Police told BJP that the police intervened after 'security staff at a City bank reported concerns over the apparently hostile behaviour of a man taking photos of their staff. When questioned by officers, the man declined to give any explanation. He was therefore informed that, in light of the concerns of security staff, and in the absence of an explanation, he would be searched under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000.' The police added: 'After the man’s bag was searched, he gave his details and explained he was a freelance photographer taking photos of buildings. Once this explanation was received, there was no further action.' However, Smith has denied he took photographs of staff. He told BJP: I wasn't photographying staff, and my hostile behavior was simply that I refused to give my ID to the security guard.' The incident has made the headlines this morning in The Independent and The Guardian. It comes days after the Association of Chief Police Officers sent a memo to all police forces around the country informing them that they 'should not be stopping an searching people for taking photos.' The memo continues: 'There are no powers prohibiting the taking of photographs, film or digital images in a public place.' EXCLUSIVE REPORT UK's no-go photo areas [09 September] RELATED EDITORIALS What value are the chief constable's words? [09 December] Street photography - the end of the road? [02 December] RELATED ARTICLES Award-winning photographer stopped after photographing a bank's building [08 December] Photographers remain sceptical after Police's clarifications [07 December] Chief Constable says anti-terror powers shouldn't be used to stop photographers [04 December] Photographers to gather for street photography rights [04 December] Independent journalist stopped after taking photos of Westminster [03 December] Photographer vindicated in action against police [02 December] Terror searches double in a year, figures show [27 November] Terror watchdog advises cops to avoid photographers at Number 10 [25 November] Parr for the 'not a terrorist' cause [14 October] PM's assurances on Section 76 [07 October] Amateur photographer takes sunset photo, is suspected of paedophilia [07 October] Police S44 denials an unfair cop? [30 September] Report highlights increasing restrictions on public photography [17 September] dfsfs ADVERTISEMENT

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