Fury as Worthing community worker ordered to delete police photographs
A COMMUNITY worker was told to delete photos of Worthing police station from his phone because he "could be a terrorist".
Electronics engineer Matt Mitchell, from Maybridge, a committee member of the Castle Action Group (CAG), took the picture of his wife Sam on the steps of the Chatsworth Road station for a friend overseas who collects international police memorabilia.
As Sam stood smiling for the photo, a group of five police and community support officers emerged from the station and confronted the couple.
Terrorist
"All these little PCSOs came out and said 'you've got to delete the photo'," said Mr Mitchell.
"They said 'you could be a terrorist'. I said as far as I know, it's not illegal to take a photo of an Old Bill station.
"They threatened to arrest me if I didn't delete the photos.
"I said I was prepared to be arrested but Sam said 'don't bother'.
"I just think it's pathetic."
Personal
Mr Mitchell said the officers looked through more than 300 personal photos on his camera to make sure he had deleted the offending images.
Mr Mitchell said one of the community support officers knew him through his work with the CAG.
Inspector Howard Hodges backed his officers and said he hoped the public would see that local police were "alive" to the terrorist threat.
Observant
He said: "We are all very observant of people taking an interest, particularly photos, of significant locations and I would consider a police station to be one of those.
"I would expect all of my staff who are briefed in relation to these matters to challenge somebody who was found to be taking a photo of a police station to establish their motivation."
He agreed that one of the officers knew who Mr Mitchell was, but said: "Identity wasn't the issue. It was motivation."
He disputed whether Mr Mitchell had been threatened with arrest and added that Mr Mitchell had deleted the pictures himself because "we don't have any powers to make him".
Reassured
He added: "I'm reassured the officers were doing their job and were alive to the very prevalent issues facing us in the country.
"I would have been disappointed if they hadn't gone and confronted him with regard to his motivation.
"I hope people will see we are alive to this."
What do you think?
Were officers right to order Mr Mitchell to delete his photographs?
How concerned are you about these officers' actions against Mr Mitchell?
Share your views, comment below, email the Herald or write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.
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Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
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Wind direction: West
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Light showers
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