• Early Friday afternoon, April 24th 2009; A knock on the door.

As I open the door, I see an individual holding a folder staring at me saying ‘I am not a cold caller’ - he’s looking at the sign on my door saying “no cold callers” - he then continues and says ‘I am from the TV Licensing’ (holding up his badge). I say; ‘one moment’ - ’sure’ he replies. I close the door, get my phone, walk back, open the door and as I browse through the menus on my phone to activate the camera he says ‘do you get a lot of cold callers?’ - I look up and say ‘yes we do’ - take a picture of him and close the door.

TV Inspector. Looking Flabbergasted.

The man is persistent though and knocks on my door again - a bit louder this time. I panic because my phone’s screen says “Memory full” - oh no!, why now!? Luckily I got a spare camera lying around and walk back to the door. By that time the inspector, confused and bewildered of having his picture taken, is phoning his supervisor asking for instructions on what to do now. Whilst on the phone I managed to take a short video of him stating ‘- haven’t got a clue -’ and, clearly, being instructed by his supervisor to walk away.

Click here to see the YouTube video

I thought; that’s it then - but it turns out the inspector has parked his car right in front of my house and remains on the phone, so that gave me the opportunity to take of few more pics.

TV Inspector. Calling for further instructions from his supervisor.

I wait for him to come off the phone - curious to find out what instructions were given to the inspector. It’s all a bit of a disappointment though; he says ‘this is bizarre’ and ‘why are you taking pictures?’. I stick to the best advice on how to deal with these people - and that is; Don’t get into a conversation.The inspector, not having a clue what is going on and, in all fairness, probably bored of the situation then gets in his car and drives off.

TV Inspector. Drives off.

So what was the conversation all about between the TV inspector and his supervisor? - I find out a few hours later … read on;

• Late Friday afternoon, April 24th 2009; Loud knocking on the door.

Did I say “Loud”?, well it was very, very loud knocking, clearly indicating an urgent matter.

I open the door and see a rather agitated Police officer on my doorstep. ‘Can I come in?’ asks the officer - I say; ‘no you can’t’. He stumbles but quickly remains his posture. The conversation continues from here on with the officer standing outside.

Hot fuzz on my doorstep

‘Did you have TVL licensing calling a few minutes ago?’. I know it was at least two hours ago but I say; ‘Yes’. ‘The person is claiming you took pictures of him is that correct? I say; ‘Yes that’s correct’. ‘Why?’ asks the officer. I reply; ‘Because I felt intimidated’. Officer: ‘If you feel intimidated you call the police’. I say; ‘I appreciate that and will take that into consideration for the next time’. The officer feels he hasn’t made his point yet, and this is were things get interesting - The officer says; ‘if those pictures are put online you will get arrested’. What!?, this officer has no idea about UK law (on the subject of taking pictures in public). There are no legal restrictions on photography in a public place, and there is no presumption of privacy for individuals in a public place. Anyone could easily see the TV Inspector from the public road (and hear his conversation with TVL’s HQ).

Click here to see a YouTube example of a similar incident; two UK police officers struggling with the law - it’s truely an embarrasing moment for the law enforcement staff in this video.

Back to the story: After this blatant lie he then asks me to delete the pictures off my camera. I say; ‘I already did’ (that was a true answer - all pics were already transferred to a USB stick). Note that the request was irrelevant anyway because an officer can’t just ask you to delete pictures without a court order. The officer then continues to dig deeper by saying; ‘Can I see the deleted pictures?’ - What!? - how on earth do I show deleted pictures? Besides, if I had committed an offense the images would act as evidence, and if I didn’t break the law, the images are innocent - The officer knows he is treading on very thin ice and starts to look nervous (still holding his posture though) - I say; ‘no you can’t’. The police officer is fuming knowing he won’t get anywhere - realising he can’t enforce any of his requests. The officer says; ‘Sir, your behaviour is totally unacceptable’, and walks off in a huff. I reply; ‘take care officer - and thank you for your time’

People have told me to report the police officer for misinforming me but I have decided against it. Being the webmaster for the BBCresistance my main goal is to make people aware of the outdated TV Licensing system and to campaign against it, not to fill out a complaint form just because my local police station can’t be asked to sent an experienced officer to my address.