Yesterday, LPB member and respected documentary photographer Marc Vallée was confronted by security guards while photographing the skateboarding area at the London Southbank Centre.

The branch is greatly concerned that, despite years of campaigning by us and others, and significant progress on the issue, some private security guards are still trying to restrict and control what members of the public and press can photograph in the public realm.

According to Vallée:

“I had just finished photographing the fenced off undercroft skate spot with my work camera and was getting a few pictures on my iPhone for Instagram when I was confronted by three security guards.”

“Being told I could not take pictures with a smartphone was a truly bizarre experience. I showed my UK Press Card and explained what I was doing and why. After a surreal exchange of views on photographers’ rights, the guards called the head of security.  Around ten minutes later they walked away without explanation or apology.”

The future of the skateboarding area, currently fenced off and under threat of permanent closure, is hotly disputed and a current and legitimate subject of media interest. The fact that the area is visited and photographed by thousands of tourists every week makes the security guards’ behaviour all the more ridiculous.