London Metropolitan Police Unlawfully Detain and Search UK Cameraman For Filming in Public
The following post and accompanying video were shared with the CopBlock Network by Marcus Potter, who has submitted numerous other videos to the CopBlock Network, as well. It was shared via the CopBlock.org Submissions Page.
Date of Incident: May 21, 2016
Officers Involved: Police Constables Mick Kelly YR247 and Trodden, Police Sgt. Matt Gee YR94, Inspector Paul Sanderson
Department Involved: Metropolitan Police Service (London)
Department Telephone No.: +44 20 7230 1212
Email Address: Steven.Wright2@met.pnn.police.uk
On May 21st 2016, shortly after being assaulted by Police Constable Todd, I continued filming police officers outside Wembley Stadium and was approached by Police Sgt. Matt Gee YR94. Sgt. Gee asked me to move to another area as a load of fans were about to leave the stadium. I complied and was again spoken to by him.
This time he was worried that I might be conducting “hostile reconnaissance” and asked to see my ID. I refused to produce it and as a result he unlawfully detained me under section 43 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for a search. I was then unlawfully told to remove my bag by another police officer who was present – PC Trodden. I complied under duress, as I had no choice in the matter, and Trodden then proceeded to unlawfully search me. He found nothing, but nevertheless he proceeded to search my bag.
He found my Criminal Behaviour Order (which as of November 30, 2016 is no longer in force) and credit card. He passed the CBO to another officer who was present – PC Mick Kelly YR247, so that he could run my name and date of birth through the Police National Computer. Kelly ran a PNC check which showed I was subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order, was on bail for breaching it, and was subject to bail conditions, which were identical to the provisions of my CBO.
Kelly read out loud the provisions of my CBO and asked me why I was filming police officers without first obtaining permission from them despite being banned from doing so in the county of Norfolk. I refused to tell him and he asked, “Is there something wrong with you sir?” to which I replied “No”. Kelly proceeded to say that there “must be” something wrong with me to be taking pictures of him and his colleagues “for no reason.”
Whilst the search was being conducted, Gee completed a stop and search form containing Gee’s full name and warrant number and offered me a copy, which I accepted. He introduced himself as Sgt Gee, provided his collar number (94YR), explained that he was attached to Harringey Borough and that he was “not local to here”. However, both Gee and Trodden failed to provide me with their police stations and names or collar numbers prior to the search, despite both officers being required to provide this information to a person detained for the purpose of a search prior to that search. He continued questioning me and I rather foolishly answered his questions. I then went on my way towards a nearby railway station and caught a train home.
– Marcus Potter
This video shows the encounter with Sgt. Gee ahead of the search:
