Olympic park security guards forcibly stop journalists from
Olympic park security guards forcibly stop journalists from taking photos
Private guards at the Olympic park have been filmed forcibly attempting to stop the media taking pictures and footage of the complex in east London, raising new concerns about potentially aggressive and over-intrusive security during the Games.
During the incident two guards from G4S, the security giant which is recruiting at least 10,000 staff for the event, attempted to clamp their hands over the lenses of stills and video cameras, even though the footage is being shot on public land.
While there are numerous rules about photography and filming inside the Olympic complex itself, which is private land, there are no restrictions on the use cameras from public areas.
Earlier this month the National Union of Journalists arranged a meeting with the two senior Scotland Yard officers in charge of Olympic security, in part to seek assurances that the media would not be harassed on public land.
Jess Hurd, whose camera was blocked by one of the G4S staff in the incident, said she had asked police about whether private security guards would be properly trained on photography laws. Police informed her that there should be no problems outside the venue.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/ap ... sts-photos