Police Questioning over photography at Manchester (EGCC)

[Dazbo5]

I was at Manchester on Thursday and the police were on their usual patrol in the afternoon and stopped me to see what I was doing. The officer said 'I don't really need to ask what you are doing but I have to check anyway'. He was very polite and asked if I had got any good shots and asked about the camera I was using. He was interested in the shots I had taken so I showed him a selection of the shots on the camera. He congratulated me on them, asked a few questions so he could fill his paperwork in then explained he had to asked under the prevention of terrorism act which I have no problems with. He then wished me luck and carried on with his patrol. Why can't all police be as polite and understanding like he was! This is the ticket he issued to me.



On a side note, whist taking a few pictures from the 'mound' at the threshold of 24L on Thursday morning, the captain of a British Airways 319 (G-EUOI) radio'd the ATC tower to ask if the people watching/taking photo's from that position were at a formal viewing area because he felt vulnerable. ATC replied 'they are outside the airport perimeter fencing so we have no control'. Not long after, a police patrol arrived so lets hope nothing comes of this.

I got some great photo's on thursday which I'm just processing and will be uploading over the weekend. Hope everyone else that was their did as well.

Darren

[BA747-436]

I can't beleive a BA captain said that sh*t. What a looser.
Headlines: "BA A319 crashes shortly after takeoff due to suspected terroist with 75-300mm lens. Captain reported feeling vulnurable"

Saying that......I'd feel pretty vulnurable if i were in an A319

[jid]

I'v been going to MAN for 29 years now (oh my god !!) and have never been challenged yet. I have had a few friendly chats with the odd PC now and again but never had that treatment. Still I would have no complaints if stopped.

Hopefully Manchester police see spotters as a security enhancement, not a risk.

Jid.

[Dazbo5]

Don't get me wrong, I've no complaints about the police stopping me, far from it. It gives you confidence that when travelling through Manchester you are in safe hands. It was good to have a chat with them to see things from their perspective. Its just that some of our American friends have reported bad things about the way they are treated and its good to see that the police over here are far more understanding and caretious towards spotters and photographers. I think the police see us as extra eyes on the ground so its a mutual benefit.

Darren

[pdeboer]

I have similar experience with the Dutch police at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam (EHAM). Also, I once had the military police around, very politely asking me what I was doing and complementing me on my camera. They were just checking if everything was oke. They have no problems with spotters taking pictures, but just want be be sure. I do not have a problem with that , nice to have a little chat

On the other hand, the private security of the airport it self do not behave that well, unfortunately. I happened to me on several occasions, and to other spotters I know as well, that they said I was not allowed to take pictures or even be outside the 'official' spottersareas. They are rather unpleasent guys Fortunately, I do not run into them very often

[G-DALE]

I got stopped twice within 30 minutes last year. The first dibble took my details (similar to your ticket Darren) and the second one just asked what I was doing, I gave him the politest answer, then he drove off. I think they've gotta have their whitts about everyone, but that BA '319 pilot took it too far

Dale

[v1images]

Suppoose im one of the lucky ones never been stopped before at MAN ever! However I feel now ive said this on my next visit i will most likely be stopped

[jid]

Suppoose im one of the lucky ones never been stopped before at MAN ever! However I feel now ive said this on my next visit i will most likely be stopped

Yep !!! You and me both

[B7772ADL]

I've been stopped at MAN. I was at the triangle at the time when an unmarked Vetra pulled up and i got a yell from the cop to come over. After a bit of explaining, he took some brief details (although not a search form as above, as i didn't get searched), just told me to keep an eye out for unusual activity, and let me get on photographing.
I was on my own at the time, as recently when they have been checking the same spot from the road, we have been in a group and they have let us be. Still he was very pleasant to me and i was happy to answer any questions he had.

[F3Hadlow]

I have had two encounters with the RAF Police at RAF Leeming (EGXE). One was quite friendly and indeed it was just a quick discussion about the day as they observed there was no threat. The other however was a little less friendly the Police were quite gruff and really got to know us through all the details they asked us for (right down to DOB!). I don't think the RAF pilots in the F3's and hawks that day were responsible as they never seem to care indeed I see quite a few of them looking right at me and get the occasional wave and nice wing dip! Whats strange is the RAF police have seen me on the approach path many other times as well but have never seemed to care. Guess it's just something we have to learn to live with in this day and age.

[Sam at MAN]

ive been stopped twice at man.The police are mostly nice but once one told me 2 move saying i was a threat!!!!
So i walked off to the rotation point.he then followed me saying if i dont move i will be arrested!!!!
When i went back to the car i missed the antonov

[PIAA310]

I have never been stopped...but then again i don't go to the airport that much.

[Dazbo5]

It's good to know I'm not the only one to be stopped! In this day and age its good to know that the security services/police do patrol airport boundries and stop people, even if it is obvious what they are doing.

Darren

[schuyler]

i was stoped at pvd a cuple days back. after asking what rw the planes were takeing off on(rw24 as i recall) they said "hope you get some good pics and drove off. it helps that i am 14 and my famialy(in the car on the side of the road) was obviosly board. lol

[F3Hadlow]

It's good to know I'm not the only one to be stopped! In this day and age its good to know that the security services/police do patrol airport boundries and stop people, even if it is obvious what they are doing.

Darren

Yes I agree Darren. Like I say we just have to adapt to it.