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Courteous street vigilance
• I READ Jenny Jones’s letter (Concern over stop and search February 28) with interest.
Although I agree with what the good assembly member has to say in general, I would like to take the unusual step of using my letter to thank the local policeman who stopped me today, March 3, near my home.
I was stopped, under section 44 of the Terrorism Act, in St Pancras Way while taking photographs of the locality for a personal photographic project.
Being stopped on the street was a first and real surprise to me, especially for taking pictures of innocuous building, roads, garden and a church and I told the officer as much.
The young police officer on a bicycle stopped me, on the grounds of suspicious behaviour.
He told me that his colleagues had observed me while I was taking photographs of the old St Pancras cemetery and the St Pancras old church and the neighbourhood.
The pictures I was taking were not very touristy in nature. He explained that terrorists carry out reconnaissance work, a subtle hint of his suspicion I suppose; although I found that hilarious, I could see his point.
He didn’t search me, but asked for the usual personal details which I provided and I explained what I was doing; namely an amateur photographer taking pictures of his neighbourhood.
I think on stopping and speaking to me he realised soon enough that I was not the criminal or terrorist type.
The whole thing took less than five minutes tops; he didn’t search my bags, or my person or my camera.
I am sure his suspicions were allayed.
If I were of a different disposition I could have easily shouted police brutality and racism etc and written you a different letter.
But I could see that the officer was just doing his job and a good job at that.
He showed me respect, had tact, was diplomatic, efficient, and had a friendly approach throughout.
His people skills were genuine.
He was endeavouring to protect and serve.
He gave me a form explaining why I was stopped and I left feeling like a satisfied customer; a tax-paying citizen who was getting value from his police service.
I did not feel any resentment towards him or the police.
A police officer with the wrong attitude could have done a bad job of this simple task. Eternal vigilance is definitely the price of liberty.
The police officer from Albany Street, is a true officer and a gentleman.
Keep up the good work.
He has earned my respect.
ABDUL SALAM
Camden Street,
NW1
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