On Thu, 8 May 2008 16:52:43 +0100, Ian Jelf
wrote:

Further to recent discussions about people taking an interest in buses,
trains, etc. getting "hassle" from the authorities, yesterday evening I
had an interesting, non-transport-related variant which I hope will
nonetheless be of interest to people on utl and ur.

I was getting ready for a guided walk for a private group around St.
Pancras and Camden, starting at Mornington Crescent tube. Whenever I
get the chance, I always walk the route shortly before actually "doing"
the tour, just to make sure nothing untoward has "developed" since my
last visit, refresh my memory and so on.

Now one of the places I go to is the former burial ground of Saint
Martin-in-the-Fields which is perversely just South of Camden Town tube,
between Camden Street and Baynham Street. The burial ground has long
since been converted to a (rather charming and well-used) local park and
was pretty busy when I walked through at about 4.30pm. As I was
leaving, I was stopped by two PCSOs and asked what my business there
was.

Report them. This is ludicrous and pathetic "activity" on their part.
You were going about your lawful business. Did you give them a business
card with a link to your website - complete with photo of you with
brolley on the home page?

Write to Boris - he wants to employ another 440 of these idiots to
patrol the buses (god help us!). He needs to know how stupid these
people are and how their actions are doing nothing to create a "civil"
society.

Write to your MP citing the Austen Mitchell motion about this undue
harassment of photographers. If you have a Labour MP tell them you
won't vote for them unless this ridiculous behaviour is stopped by the
Home Secretary. I have written to my MP on exactly this issue and
saying this is sufficiently serious for my voting intentions to be
affected.

Alternatively next time this happens - as it surely will - you can pull
the cap off the brolley and fatally stab them with the poison tip and
then make good your escape ;-)
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!