Smashed phone box - who do I contact??

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natbeuk
Posts: 457
Joined: 26 Nov 2007 10:19
Location: Sydenham

Smashed phone box - who do I contact??

Post by natbeuk »

Hi all

Hoping someone can help me. There's a phone box near where I live which a) has clearly been out of use for a VERY long time now and b) has been smashed by vandals so there is shattered glass all over the pavement. It's been smashed for weeks now, and I've got no idea how long it's been disused for, but I'm wondering - should I contact the council about this?

It's not a BT phone box and off the top of my head I can't remember the name of the phone company. It's really unsightly, and from my experience, the presence of one vandalised object seems to encourage further vandalisation so I'd really like to see it sorted ASAP.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 2578
Joined: 20 Sep 2004 21:49

Post by admin »

Does this page show anything familiar?
http://www.sydenham.org.uk/news_phone_box.html

There is a link from that page to all you never thought you needed to know about phone boxes with photos. BTW taking photos of phone boxes could attract the attention of the anti-terrorist constabulary as collecting evidence of sensitive communication centres. And a snap of a 176 might just take you all the way to Guantanamo ...
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/24 ... clampdown/

Its no joke. I was stopped and (illegally) threatened with confiscation of my camera in Kirkdale. For just taking a photo of the road. No busses in sight!

Admin
bensonby
Posts: 1656
Joined: 18 Jun 2008 12:28
Location: Kent

Post by bensonby »

admin wrote:
Its no joke. I was stopped and (illegally) threatened with confiscation of my camera in Kirkdale. For just taking a photo of the road. No busses in sight!

Admin
Anybody is perfectly entitled to photograph anything on a public street. (providing its not done aggressively in an "harrassing" manner). Any officer that attempts to take your film/memory card/camera away from you should be politely - but firmly - told to get lost.

Also, bear in mind that you are under no obligation to give your name and/or address to them. Nor do you have to accoutn for your actions - although some may say it might be less hassle and good manners to tell them who you are and what you are doing.

They can, however, search you, and anything on you providing a s.44 is in force ( there usually is). (The constable must be in uniform and PCSOs cannot unless under the direction of a constable)
natbeuk
Posts: 457
Joined: 26 Nov 2007 10:19
Location: Sydenham

Post by natbeuk »

Ah yes, thank you, Interphone, that's their name! That looks very much like the one that bugs me every time I walk past it. And from what I can work out from the info on the links, Interphone don't exist anymore and even if they did there'd be very little chance of them doing anything about the mess they've left....

Would there be any use in my trying to contact the council or do you know of any useful contacts I could try anywhere? I can see it's not going to be as simple as sending an email and getting it sorted, but someone has to start somewhere. I'll make sure I'm sneaky with my camera though - thanks for the warning!!
bensonby
Posts: 1656
Joined: 18 Jun 2008 12:28
Location: Kent

Post by bensonby »

natbeuk wrote: I'll make sure I'm sneaky with my camera though - thanks for the warning!!
Don't be. This is a free country - you are allowed to photograph anything you like in a public place.
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 2578
Joined: 20 Sep 2004 21:49

Post by admin »

bensonby wrote:This is a free country - you are allowed to photograph anything you like in a public place.
In legal terms that is almost correct. The issue is not about legal restrictions. These are reasonably clear and sensible.

It is about illegal demands to stop/show/delete photos. Even when you know the police person is misinterpreting the law and politeness doesn't work - are you really going to argue the toss? Its embarrasing in a public place and antagonising the police to prove a point lacks a certain prudence.

Admin
bensonby
Posts: 1656
Joined: 18 Jun 2008 12:28
Location: Kent

Post by bensonby »

admin wrote: In legal terms that is almost correct.
yes, of course there are a few exceptions...
It is about illegal demands to stop/show/delete photos. Even when you know the police person is misinterpreting the law and politeness doesn't work - are you really going to argue the toss? Its embarrasing in a public place and antagonising the police to prove a point lacks a certain prudence.
Admin
my bold

Yes, I would. Embarassment aside, I believe that citizens have a right to go about their business without undue interference from the state. I'm not advocating doing anything illegal, or being impolite - but requesting them to call their sergeant or inspector to clarify the law is probably the best thing to do.

It really really irritates me that some police think they can do as they please without lawful authority and it really annoys me when an officer tries to enforce laws they don't understand.
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