USE of VIDEO CAMERAS on DEMO'S

Whenever possible have a video camera on you when dealing with the police. It is not an offence to film police officers – whatever they might say to the contrary - and you could gain vital evidence leading to an acquittal in a criminal case or to assist you in suing them. More importantly the police are far less likely to attempt to abuse their powers and act unlawfully if they realise they are being filmed. As their knowledge of the law is often patchy at best, they will often back down when confronted by a protestor with a video camera who appears to know their rights.

Points to Note

•The police will often warn you for threatening behaviour (Section 4A Intentional Harassment) if you film, for example, workers arriving at a laboratory, and we know that if you do this at the animal testing laboratory Huntingdon Life Sciences you will be charged under that section if the police have a witness who will testify. You could still be charged even if there is no film in the camera, as the threat is made by pointing the camcorder at the workers.
•Always be careful not to film other activists incriminating themselves. If you think you may have incriminated an activist, but are not sure, get rid of the tape or give it to a friend and replace it with a blank one. The police have the power to seize any item, which they reasonably believe is evidence of an offence, even if you are not under arrest (Section 19 PACE), so if in doubt get rid!
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