You need permit to take pictures on Sandbanks beach, snapper told (From Bournemouth Echo)
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You need permit to take pictures on Sandbanks beach, snapper told
8:00am Wednesday 30th September 2009 in
A photographer was stunned to be told he couldn’t take pictures on Sandbanks beach without a permit.
Steve Cook was in the middle of a charity shoot for Help for Heroes on Monday morning when he was stopped.
A beach warden insisted that commercial photography on the beach was prohibited by a Borough of Poole bylaw, unless you had the correct permit.
The council has now admitted that was an error – but insists commercial and professional photographers must seek permission.
Steve, 42, of Poole based Seeker Photography Ltd, told the Echo he had photographed on the town’s beaches countless times during his 13 years’ experience, and he was “shaking with annoyance” following the incident on the empty beach, which he described as “ludicrous.”
He said: “It’s not something you expect to happen on a beach in Poole. You might expect that from a police officer outside parliament – but even then they haven’t got to right to stop you taking photos.”
Anthony Rogers, recreation manager, said the council had to balance requests to film or take photographs on the beaches “with the interests of other beach users and our duty to ensure public safety.”
While there was no bylaw, he added: “We do ask that any organisation or professional wishing to use council-owned land for commercial photography or filming to seek permission beforehand and provide evidence of public liability insurance. This is standard practice in the industry.”
Mr Cook said he had the relevant insurance, but added: “This is a policy that I've never heard of in all these years of beach photoshoots.
“If this truly is the case then all of the dozens of wedding photographers who do bridal shoots every week throughout the year on the beach or parks are breaking the council’s rules.”
The photos were to be used to promote a 110-mile charity walk through the Sahara being undertaken next month by Barbara Cox, founder of healthy meal delivery company Nutrichef, in a bid to raise £5,000 for Help for Heroes.
To sponsor her visit helpmehelptheheroes.org
Comments(37)
Lord Spring
says...
8:37am Wed 30 Sep 09
The revolution is getting there.
Adrian XX
says...
8:38am Wed 30 Sep 09
Upkeep
says...
9:02am Wed 30 Sep 09
Its a totatarian state without the uniforms.
We won a war against people like that didn`t we ??
souwest
says...
9:06am Wed 30 Sep 09
Book him Danno!
SW
poolebabe
says...
9:32am Wed 30 Sep 09
cantique
says...
9:46am Wed 30 Sep 09
62131115661144495
says...
10:06am Wed 30 Sep 09
Adrian XX
says...
10:17am Wed 30 Sep 09
62131115661144495 wrote:Or when they cordoned off a huge section of beach so they could cut up a dead sea mammal. Oh - that was Bournemouth council. Still, the same mentality prevails.
Mr Rogers: “…with the interests of other beach users”. A shame Pool Council didn't think about that when they cordoned off a whole chunk of the beach for their precious polo tournament. Hypocrites.
beachhutman
says...
12:14pm Wed 30 Sep 09
Perry_Winkle
says...
12:53pm Wed 30 Sep 09
With no legal backing, do they have a leg to stand on if you politely decline their request? Do they insist on PL insurance from those undertaking the significantly more dangerous pastimes of, for instance, volleyball, football, frisbee?
This is just a complete nonsense, and yet another indicator of council officers being too big for their boots. Which part of 'public servant' do they not understand?
Grant David Read
says...
1:14pm Wed 30 Sep 09
http://www.bournemou
thecho.co.uk/news/15
01723.Lights__camera
_and_action____for_S
andbanks/
terry1965
says...
2:23pm Wed 30 Sep 09
souwest
says...
2:53pm Wed 30 Sep 09
Even spending vast abouts of council taxpayers money on worshipping a dead fish, having an autopsy on the stupid thing, and collectivly wetting our knickers over a goddam whale!
SW
Tig
says...
4:26pm Wed 30 Sep 09
http://tinyurl.com/y
8jecmk
I suggest we stage a mass photograph-taking session (i.e. a 'flash mob') on the beach, together with a BBQ, of course. That will give them something to worry about.
Everyone should then put their pics for sale on Ebay (proceeds of which go to Help for Heroes), together with an explanation of why they are on there.
At least the council admits there is no byelaw, but these jobsworths need to be taught a lesson.
legaleagle
says...
4:57pm Wed 30 Sep 09
PokesdownMark
says...
7:52pm Wed 30 Sep 09
THIS is what a police state looks like!
BIGTONE
says...
10:02pm Wed 30 Sep 09
The Sage
says...
10:02pm Wed 30 Sep 09
on the contents of rubbish bins with all the risk of identity theft that implies as they were not using the information to aid bin collection the decision had already been made.
another case of big brother B.O.Poole
WIGGINSv
says...
10:50pm Wed 30 Sep 09
The Sage wrote:It's all right for them to spy on us with their cameras. People who trot out the old trope:..."they work for us," are sadly deluded.
I will expect the council or private contractor to give me proper notice if they intend to install a camera on a wheelie bin which is kept on my property I still cannot understand that in the same week we were told that altering the day of collection would save money but the council were employing a private firm to spy on the contents of rubbish bins with all the risk of identity theft that implies as they were not using the information to aid bin collection the decision had already been made. another case of big brother B.O.Poole
rook
says...
10:58pm Wed 30 Sep 09
http://www.bbc.co.uk
/blogs/murraywalker/
2009/09/my_singapore
_grand_prix_moment.h
tml
Murray Walker might actually find it's cheaper to film the Singapore GP summary in Singapore rather than Bournemouth!
ferret38
says...
11:13pm Wed 30 Sep 09
SeekerPhoto
says...
8:20am Thu 1 Oct 09
http://bit.ly/3ETtEe
http://bit.ly/ToGCY
And it has been reported nationally in the British Journal of Photography:
http://bit.ly/WTopR
In this report the council said that the ban also applies to the pavements and public highways of Poole!
Latest implications of Poole Council's ban on photos taken for commercial reasons on pavements and highways in Poole - Estate Agents can no longer photograph properties without a permit!
SeekerPhoto
says...
8:22am Thu 1 Oct 09
This week I have had a run in with petty officialdom when I was told that I couldn't take photos on Sandbanks beach whilst doing a PR shoot for Help for Heroes.
http://www.bournemou
thecho.co.uk/news/46
55283.You_need_permi
t_to_take_pictures_o
n_Sandbanks_beach__s
napper_told/?ref=mr.
.. Read more
http://www.bjp-onlin
e.com/public/showPag
e.html?page=869427
Originally I was told that it was a Poole bylaw, now it just seems that there is a secret (ie no-one knows about it) directive that all professional photographers need a permit to take photographs anywhere in the Borough of Poole inc pavements and public highways.
Not only is this blatantly an infringement of civil liberties, going against Home Office and No10 advice but it is also totally unworkable - I would need in excess of 20-30 permits a week to carry out my work (as would all other pro photographers inc the Daily Echo).
No-one from the council has been in touch with me to apologise for the error over bylaws or to explain the position, despite having my contact details since Monday morning.
I would be grateful for any assistance that you could give me in helping to remove these outrageous restrictions on both the livelihood and civil liberties of all professional photographers.
Regards
Steve Cook
Seeker Photography Ltd
rook
says...
8:35am Thu 1 Oct 09
SeekerPhoto wrote:I wouldn't let it worry you Steve - just tell them to F-off.
Open letter to all Poole Councillors, Annette Brooke MP and Robert Syms MP (sent 30/9/09):
This week I have had a run in with petty officialdom when I was told that I couldn't take photos on Sandbanks beach whilst doing a PR shoot for Help for Heroes.
http://www.bournemou
thecho.co.uk/news/46
55283.You_need_permi
t_to_take_pictures_o
n_Sandbanks_beach__s
napper_told/?ref=mr.
.. Read more
http://www.bjp-onlin
e.com/public/showPag
e.html?page=869427
Originally I was told that it was a Poole bylaw, now it just seems that there is a secret (ie no-one knows about it) directive that all professional photographers need a permit to take photographs anywhere in the Borough of Poole inc pavements and public highways.
Not only is this blatantly an infringement of civil liberties, going against Home Office and No10 advice but it is also totally unworkable - I would need in excess of 20-30 permits a week to carry out my work (as would all other pro photographers inc the Daily Echo).
No-one from the council has been in touch with me to apologise for the error over bylaws or to explain the position, despite having my contact details since Monday morning.
I would be grateful for any assistance that you could give me in helping to remove these outrageous restrictions on both the livelihood and civil liberties of all professional photographers.
Regards
Steve Cook
Seeker Photography Ltd
I can see that if an independent film company wanted to recreate the Battle of El Alamein on Sandbanks beach there should be some sort of issue, but as always, I'm sure our local councils will use their common sense ...... ????
karateman1964
says...
9:29am Thu 1 Oct 09
karateman1964
says...
9:29am Thu 1 Oct 09
Tig
says...
9:41am Thu 1 Oct 09
Where will you post the update, as the comments here will no doubt be deleted very soon now?
ECHO: please sort out the slow server issues!!! I typed a longer reply to this article, but as soon as I hit "Submit" I got an error page and my comments were not there.
Ever since this site has been online pages have been extremely slow to load. I suspect it is due to all the 3rd party ads you have on every page. Whatever, it is extremely frustrating.
In Absentia
says...
11:36am Thu 1 Oct 09
karateman1964 wrote:Sorry, but you totally miss the point. We cannot allow this continued erosion of civil liberties by petty officialdom.
As usual a lot of fuss about nothing
The law regarding photography in public places is quite clear. If you are on public land you do not need anyone's permission to take photographs. Police Officers cannot confiscate your equipment or have pictures deleted with a court order. That also applies even if a photographer is stopped under the provisions of the Terrorism Act.
If the Echo has any NUJ members then they ought to be aware of the national campaign they've taken up with the Government to get proper guidance issued to the Police, many of whom are incredibly ignorant of the law in this area.
In Absentia
says...
11:39am Thu 1 Oct 09
poolebabe
says...
12:09pm Thu 1 Oct 09
PokesdownMark wrote:Unless you are an owner of an ASBO of course!
Tell me what a police state looks like? THIS is what a police state looks like!
poolebabe
says...
12:09pm Thu 1 Oct 09
PokesdownMark wrote:Unless you are an owner of an ASBO of course!
Tell me what a police state looks like? THIS is what a police state looks like!
MOTRP
says...
7:36pm Thu 1 Oct 09
What a load of bureaucratic waste of time.
karateman1964
says...
9:24pm Thu 1 Oct 09
In Absentia wrote:We cannot allow this continued erosion of civil liberties by petty officialdom? still dont see why the Echo had to print it ..I mean its not exactly gut busting news is it.
karateman1964 wrote: As usual a lot of fuss about nothingSorry, but you totally miss the point. We cannot allow this continued erosion of civil liberties by petty officialdom. The law regarding photography in public places is quite clear. If you are on public land you do not need anyone's permission to take photographs. Police Officers cannot confiscate your equipment or have pictures deleted with a court order. That also applies even if a photographer is stopped under the provisions of the Terrorism Act. If the Echo has any NUJ members then they ought to be aware of the national campaign they've taken up with the Government to get proper guidance issued to the Police, many of whom are incredibly ignorant of the law in this area.
This should of been sorted by the Cameraman and the Council..but everyone feels the been to run to Media at the slightest disagreement.
SeekerPhoto
says...
9:00am Fri 2 Oct 09
karateman1964
says...
11:42am Fri 2 Oct 09
AngryABBERS
says...
12:44pm Fri 16 Oct 09
This makes my blood boil, its the biggest pile of nonsense I have heard in ages, I take photos as a hobby and specialise in pictures of the beach and water, but I have professional kit, how can they tell the difference between a pro or amateur?
I also combine taking my dog to the beach as she loves the water too but can only now do this when the dog ban is lifted, but not for long as the council are planning an all round ban and are thinking now of extending to Whitecliff and Bater and if they get away with that, where is this all going to end... next a white line to divide cyclists and walkers in parks.... oops they have already tried that!
Its just another prime example of how petty they have become, how about targeting real issues, like the lack of places for teenagers to go in the evenings thus getting them off the streets and hanging out on the beaches causing problems? or the growing number of fly tipping (even the beach is used) due to a crack down on local tips? just a couple of examples and a mere tip of the iceberg!
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YOU CAN’T DO THAT! A jobsworth council official told photographer Steve Cook he could not take a picture on the beach of Barbara Cox ahead of her charity trek to the Sahara
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KMB65 says...
8:18am Wed 30 Sep 09