Photographer searched under 'terrorism powers', say City of London police

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An architectural photographer was searched under police 'terrorism powers' on Monday, the City of London police have confirmed.

"A man was spoken to by officers on 10 May after police were called by security personnel," a spokesperson said. "He was later searched under terrorism powers." An account of Grant Smith's treatment appeared on the NUJ London Photographers' Branch site .

Smith claims that he was taking some test shots for an architectural photography commission when he was first stopped by security guards and then searched by police under section 44(2) of the Terrorism Act.

He was unable to record the incident, but he took note of the uniformed police officers' numbers.

"The incident clearly shows how officers are continuing to abuse Terror laws and how security guards are abusing their position by calling the police every time somebody photographs a building, which they claim is not allowed, but is of course perfectly legal and legitimate, says NUJ member and photographer Jonathan Warren, writing on the NUJ London Photographers' Branch site.

The Metropolitan Police recently issued new guidance to officers about using the act on photographers . "Guidance around the issue has been made clear to officers and PCSOs through briefings and internal communications," says the Met.

"Members of the public and the media do not need a permit to film or photograph in public places and police have no power to stop them filming or photographing incidents or police personnel."

Smith was also stopped and searched in December 2009, while photographing Sir Christopher Wren's Christ Church, as reported by the Guardian .