Big brother.

The Government intend to restrict local authorities' use of surveillance under the provisions of anti-terrorism legislation, after many complaints that this power is being used for trivial purposes not connected in any way with terrorism. And quite right too - although as the power will still be there, subject only to getting the approval of a senior manager, it remains to be seen whether it will make much difference in practice. But at the same time as they are purportedly restricting councils' power in this way, the Government have also brought into force Section 76 of the Counter Terrorism Act 2008 which can be (and probably will be) construed as making it an offence to photograph police officers. In view of what went on at the G20 protests, this is a serious restriction which must be reconsidered.