Act of Terror, a new short animation from Fat Rat Films, is a timely reminder of such arbitrary legislation. The film tells Gemma Atkinson’s story. When police carried out a routine stop and search of her boyfriend, Fred Grace, on the London Underground in March 2009, Gemma decided to film the incident on her mobile phone.
It was a month after the controversial Section 58A of the Terrorism Act 2000 came into force, a power widely interpreted by police as making it illegal to photograph police officers. Gemma was backed into an alcove by five police officers, handcuffed, detained for around 25 minutes and threatened with arrest. “I felt totally helpless,” she recalls. “I was being restrained and I felt that no one was listening to me.”
Gemma was finally released, but the officers simply walked away with all but one refusing to identify themselves. She launched a legal battle but, to avoid Judicial Review, the police reworded their guidance. Gemma sought justice through the Independent Police Complaints Commission – only to be told the officers would not face misconduct charges.
After nearly two years of legal wrangling, and excuses and attempts to blame
Gemma, an out of court settlement was reached in 2010. Regrettably Gemma
has already endured similar encounters with the police. So she decided to use
the settlement money to fund Act of Terror. “We obviously can’t rely on
the police to learn the laws they enforce,” she says. “Or the IPCC to punish
them for not bothering.”
Gemma hopes the film will put her side of the story across, highlight the police’s misuse of counter-terrorism powers to restrict photography and prevent this from happening again. Her experience is far from unique, so take some time to watch Act of Terror – and make sure you know the law, know your rights and can stand up for yourself if and when the police get it wrong.
