Terrorist, terrorists, everywhere!!!!...

I like to listen to TalkSport Radio while I'm driving in the car. Not so much during the day because they just chat about sport, but at night it becomes a 'phone-in' station. The subjects are widely varied, current news, lively debate, and light hearted banter etc. It's the UKs largest commercial station, and as you would expect there are advert breaks. It was during one of these breaks that I heard what I thought was a tongue in cheek promotion of a future program. It sounded so ridiculous that I assumed it was over the top in order to provoke discussion. It wasn't until it reached the end, announcing a free hotline number to report your neighbours as terrorists that I realised that it was for real. I'm astounded!...



This is one of a series of like minded adverts. These broadcasts set a dangerous precedent, turning neighbour against neighbour and leading people to believe that there are 'terrorists everywhere'. There was never this level of paranoia during the height of the IRA attacks.
I'm particularly concerned because I fall into this new terrorist category. I keep myself to myself, close curtains and use cash... I'm expecting the door to be broken down by police any moment now.
You just can't win. Leave the curtains open while you're vacuuming in the nude and you get reported, close them and you get reported for being a terrorist!
I've already reported all my neighbours, as many of them have been going out after dark, one of them was holding a bag and wearing glasses... is he a terrorist in disguise? The bus stop across the road worries me too. I often see people just standing there (sometimes for ages), not talking to anyone and looking around a bit. Are they going to blow themselves up? I'm turning myself in at the end of the week because I've always thought I looked a bit suspicious anyway!...

The Orwellian Nightmare Unit...

The traffic snarled up and eventually came to a halt. I parked my car, grabbed my cameras and went to see what was happening. The road was blocked by police and fire engines.

More sirens rang out as a police car pulled across to block the road, while yet another fire engine arrived. I couldn't see smoke, so I assumed it must be an accident of some kind.

The air ambulance circled overhead obviously searching for a suitable landing spot.

It swung low over the rooftops, skimmed the rear gardens, and positioned itself to land at the junction of two roads.

It sunk below the outline of the suburban skyline and out of sight.

This is when the trouble started...

A policeman approached me. He asked if I was affiliated with the press, and what was I taking photographs of. I politely explained that I was just a local caught up in the traffic taking some shots of the air ambulance overhead. He then began ranting on about seizing my cameras as evidence! He was rude, aggressive and intimidating. I was shocked. I was told that I wasn't allowed to take photos. Although I was incandescent with rage, I didn't want to be arrested, or have my cameras taken, so I retreated into a side road.

With the cameras tucked under my coat I returned and attempted to blend in with the crowd. Just in time to witness another photographer suffer similar treatment. This time the police were trying to use anti-terror laws to stop him taking photos. He knew his rights, stood his ground, and informed them that they had no right to seize his camera, or prevent him from taking pictures. He was threatened with arrest for a public order offence and manhandled to a car by the policeman! Credit to the guy, he stated his case clearly, he had committed no offence and was well within his rights to take photographs on a public road. They reluctantly let him go.

Out of sight, the turbines of the helicopter whined into life. The thudding of the rotors grew louder as it emerged above the roof tiles. The police were distracted so I took the opportunity to snap a few shots...

After the helicopter left, I made conversation with the other photographer. I could tell he was very annoyed by the police. He was amazed at their ignorance of the law and of the public rights. We'd both encountered this abuse before, and I'm sure I will again.

It turned out that the incident was just a traffic accident. There was no reason to evoke anti-terror laws. I didn't hinder or obstruct anyone in any way. I didn't intrude on the casualties privacy. There was simply no reason to stop anyone from taking pictures. What was particularly hypocritical was the professional video camera crew (full size on the shoulder TV camera, plus sound man) that were shadowing the emergency services at close quarters filming the casualties from barely 6 foot away!

The police are misusing, and abusing these anti-terror laws as I suspected they would when I wrote a blog post about them when they first came into existence last year. (Read it HERE)

I will continue to take photos and strive to prevent the spread of this new branch of the police... 'The Orwellian Nightmare Unit'.

Big Brother can send you to jail for photographing the Police!!!...

If you live in the UK and like to take photographs then you should be concerned. On Feb 16th 2009 the government are implementing 'Schedule 8' an amendment to the 'Counter-terrorism Act 2000'. Within this is 'Section 76'.
The police have already abused the powers given to them under previous anti-terror laws and are often ignorant of the law, falsely believing that it is illegal to photograph or video them. You only have to see this video to know...

The Act at first read doesn't seem of much concern. It's not until you realise the full implications of the wording that it becomes worrying. You can find the full account of the new law HERE.
Sub-Section 58A of Section 76 reads thus:-

“58A Eliciting, publishing or communicating information about members of armed forces etc (1) A person commits an offence who—
(a) elicits or attempts to elicit information about an individual who is or has been—
(i) a member of Her Majesty’s forces,
(ii) a member of any of the intelligence services, or
(iii) a constable,
which is of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, or
(b) publishes or communicates any such information.
(2) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that they had a reasonable excuse for their action.
(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
(a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or to a fine, or to both;

It should be made clear that you don't have to be a terrorist to be prosecuted under this law but only need to possess information, video, or photographs which the government may believe is useful to terrorists.
One portion (Section 58A,(a),(iii)) in particular concerns me most. If I video the police out on the public street, (which I have done often) and they happen to be near a government building, a railway station or other 'sensitive' location it could be construed as 'useful information' for a terrorist act. The problem is the vagueness of the law as well as the onus for me to justify the reason for taking pictures. I shouldn't need an excuse, because I'm not a terrorist. The police are already uneducated in the law. I have been confronted by them quite aggressively at times and quizzed as to why I'm taking pictures. They go to great lengths to give me the impression that what I am doing is illegal... and DAMN IT... now it is!
The National Union of Journalists and the British Press Photographer Association have expressed their concerns and intend to demonstrate their 'displeasure' in London on Monday 16th Feb... photos may not be available.
So from now on, the pictures and information on my blog may be curtailed.... I NO LONGER CONSIDER MYSELF TO LIVE IN A FREE COUNTRY... be warned
For further reading on the matter, see HERE

Countdown to chaos...

The news today informed me of yet another pointless death at the hands of our unruly youth. A local man was beaten to death by feral kids for the bottle of wine he'd bought to accompany the dinner with his wife. I'm beginning to despair at the remorseless countdown towards complete social breakdown. Each month the government announces more and more crappy laws each diminishing my freedom but empowering the yob....
What happened to commonsense???... This obituary published in the London Times might explain...

"Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who
has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was,
since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He
will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the
worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend
more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children,
are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy
charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended
from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for
reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the
job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly
children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental
consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could
not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an
abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses;
and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a
burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in
her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by
his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone..."

Big Brother IS watching you (but doesn't give a damn)

4.2 million CCTV cameras and counting in the UK. That's 1 for every 14 people. On average you are captured over 300 times a day. George Orwell warned us of this in his creation "Nineteen Eightyfour". He lived at Flat 27b Canonbury Square, London. Within 200 yards of his flat there are now 32 CCTV cameras...Big Brother is truly here.
In the spirit of research, I decided to see how many cameras and how many times I was filmed on a short few minute walk around my immediate neighbourhood.

First off, the local station. A small station with reasonable sized car park for commuters to 'park and ride' in a quiet suburb of a small town. How many cameras would you expect?

What a lovely welcome! Do you feel safer? Why the need for spikes?

On the walkway and the platform, more 'prettified' cameras. Remember this count doesn't include the two more cameras in the ticket office, just the ones encountered as you walk out in public areas.

You might think your car is safer parked in such a well watched place, but of an evening it was left up to me to tackle some teenagers running across vehicle rooves. They ran off when they saw me in the car, after an angrily executed tyre squealing J-turn and a short chase I caught them. The police were phoned but never turned up, not a peep out of any transport police that should have been dispatched by the camera operators. What was I meant to do? I had to let them go. This might lead you to believe that the cameras aren't being watched, but no. Park with one of your wheels on the white line and a voice booms out from the top of a mast that you are not complying with car park regulations!!!!!!

On your exit, an extra camera scans the back of your head...just in case.

So, how many cameras to guard the ever so dangerous station....24!

The tally increases as I amble up the road. One camera filming the road outside offices. One filming you from the Chinese takeaway. 14 watch you as you pass the petrol station. There are pinhole cameras mounted in the pumps themselves now. 4 in the small public car park. 3 follow you as you walk by the library. 3 more point across the road at you from a small electronics manufacturer.

Homeward bound a police car passes, adding another 3 (1 forward facing, 1 to the rear and 1 automatic number plate recognition ).

The final total on my short walk?...Fifty three! This doesn't include any residential cameras or those keeping tabs on you in shops etc. This is not the middle of a city.

Do these cameras serve their purpose? I don't think so. Last week a neighbour was robbed, their car stolen, that car was then used in a break in of the pub across the road. The perpetrators were neither identified or apprehended. In April I had to chase thieves (posted as 'Men in black' gone bad...(April)), no images available on video. What's the point of these cameras? It is 1984, it's just running late....

Tuesday night is Bike night!...

This is 'Bassetts Pole'. Here there is literally a pole/ signpost that marks the boundary between two counties. It is now dominated by a large traffic island, and adjacent to this is Bassett Pole pub. In the summer, Tuesday night is 'bike night'..... A couple of years ago this used to be a huge weekly event (over 2 thousand), with racing, stunting, bareback riding and knee sliding. Unfortunately, following the death of a spectator, the police have become obsessed with squashing this meet.

Despite some rather 'unfair' tactics on behalf of the police, this get together is still popular.

As you approach, all you can hear is a distant thunder, a combined rumble of a thousand illegal exhausts!

'Big Brother' is watching you! I counted 4 traffic police cars equipped with ANPR (automatic number plate recognition), 2 vans with ANPR, 3 patrol cars, 2 vans, 1 unmarked pursuit car, 2 mobile motorbikes, 3 parked bikes, an occasionally circling helicopter and this mobile CCTV unit complete with 20ft camera topped mast! This isn't a Hells Angels meet! Most of these bikers are just ordinary business men. The police really don't like these gatherings, but thanks to the bloody mindedness of the bikers it continues every year!

If you ever wondered what your tax was being spent on... Well of course they need a Mercedes! Our 'under funded' police force couldn't be expected to run a budget car. They obviously have a legitimate use for the 28 speaker surround sound stereo, the self levelling gas suspension, the 12 point adjustable seats with 8 air bladders, heating and massage, the split cabin environment system...you can't expect them to be uncomfortable when they're sat on their bums all day!!!

The plain clothes team have their cover blown again. 'Something' was giving them away...

This Suzuki was a work of art. Extended rear arm allows transmission of all the power without flipping you off the back. This mod isn't as simple as it seems, if you notice, the bodywork and even the exhaust have been altered in sympathy in order to maintain the proportions of the bike.

Oversize sprocket with 'cush' drive and one cool wavy edge disc!

Bennilli Tornado, this is one of my favourite bikes. That's one distinctive back end, and it'll be getting very small very soon! You know that it is delivering some awesome power to warrant that sort of cooling.

There weren't as many trikes as usual. This one is OK, but some of them are just crazy. There is often a big black one running a Jag V12, and just to give a little extra umph he's fitted it with two Garrett T3 turbos...madness (and I love it!)

This is my cup of tea. Ugly as fuck I know, but it'll do everything. Fast and comfortable on the road, big enough for two plus equipment.

And when you get to the end of the road you can keep on going, anywhere you like! I could have some adventures on this...

I was just about to leave when I heard a noise I liked. There are a few of these around my local area, but this is the gorgeous Lambo I see arse tailing it down my road late at night!

These don't come cheap, and the owner had more labels than a jam factory.

When you stand round the back of this beast, the up swept exhausts jet scalding gas at your face, and when the throttle is blipped it blows your hair back. It's one of the most fun ways of losing your eyebrows!

After what seemed an eternity of careful reversing from the cramped car park (you don't even want to think of the consequences of knocking a line of bikes down), the Lambo made it's escape, the crackle of the exhaust spitting flame on the over run as it scrubbed speed for the island!

With the sun beginning to set I made my way home, until all I could hear was a distant rumble...