http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jimuC_Cn9Q&feature=related

Very useful video, do we have the laws on harrassment on the forums/site? if not it would be useful to use them, as it could stop some potential harrassment from scientology

I quite like the laser-camera idea. I've got a pen, may consider bringing it next time.

Prohibition of harassment - Protection from Harassment act 1997.

(1) A person must not pursue a course of conduct—

a. which amounts to harassment of another, and

b. which he knows or ought to know amounts to harassment of the other.

(2) For the purposes of this section, the person whose course of conduct is in question ought to know that it amounts to harassment of another if a reasonable person in possession of the same information would think the course of conduct amounted to harassment of the other.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a course of conduct if the person who pursued it shows—

a. that it was pursued for the purpose of preventing or detecting crime,

b. that it was pursued under any enactment or rule of law or to comply with any condition or requirement imposed by any person under any enactment, or

c. that in the particular circumstances the pursuit of the course of conduct was reasonable.

This act was specifically designed for stalkers after that Jill Dando thing. It is mis-used by many people, mainly by couples who split up and want to have ammo against each-other for civil court (eg child custody/access) proceedings. "He sent me a couple of texts calling me a bitch!! I wanna complain!"

It has generally been held that a course of conduct must be on two or more occasions, and police feel that these must be separate occasions (over the course of days or weeks, for example) for the offence to be complete.

The best thing that can be used with reference to protests is the Public Order Act 1986, specifically section 4a which states that a person commits an offence if their behaviour towards another person is threatening, abusive or insulting and causes or is likely to cause that person harassment, alarm or distress. Section 4 is the same but has an added thing where the behaviour of the offender is likely to cause fear or provocation of violence.

Hope this helps.

So just to make sure (and putting this into practical use), if they follow us, and we asked them why, and then if they could please stop, and they continue, would they be classed as harassing us? Also, im assuming as long as we ask politely and record what we are saying also it should be ok?

My personal interpretation of the act, coupled with your question, would be a yes, probably, possibly, maybe.

It could be argued in court (yes, the British judicial system rules - lol...*EDIT - sorry, English, as the Scots have strange laws, sheriff courts and thistles*) that the continuance of the act of the Scilon/s following you after being warned, would not constitute (for criming standards, i.e. the stated course of conduct on two or more occasions) an offence under this act. Most probably a 'first case harassment' will be recorded on paper, with a verbal warning being issued to the offender. This varies in policy from area to area, mind.

The Crown Prosecution Service like to play with a loaded deck, so if there's just the one instance of you being followed/warning the followers and then being followed again (within a few minutes, for example), this would be usually 'one' instance, NOT a course of conduct according to them. The Harassment Act, like I said, is specifically for stalkers, but misused. Grey area here.

If you got a Scilon following you to work every day and taking pictures, game on. In this instance? Hmmm.

Any Lawfags for their £0.02 worth...?

Hmm, I'd say it would apply, as the Scilon would know that what he is doing amounts to harrassment of another.

Okay, granted.

What must be considered though (after I've had a think), is that if the old bill DO get involved for whatever reason, nothing will be done apart from them having a word with the Scilon and telling him/her to piss off and leave the good Anon alone.

'Why?' I hear you ask. Do you REALLY want to make a statement to the police complaining about the Sclilon that will get disclosed to them as part of the case? Remember that the statement will have your full name on it; you can't sign an official statement as 'Anonymous' or stand up in court dressed like V...

Face it. They can officially complain about any one of us (providing there's an offence committed) but to protect our anonymity, we can't complain about them.

Sucks, don't it?

Wouldn't that be enough to get to get away from them?

Personally I dont see myself being followed (taking alot of precautions), but im just trying to bring up possible scenarios so in the worst case possable, resources are available =p

Just a quick piece of advice about the laser pen idea.

They may be legal in America but here you could be arrested for it here, it could be considered an offensive weapon as there have been cases of these pens damaging peoples eyesight.

So DON'T do it guys.

Oh, easily. More than likely if an Anon were to be followed and they pointed out the bloke to the bobbies, he'd more than likely do one, sharpish.

You're right though with the thought of ways to counter possible scenarios and being armed with the knowledge required - it's better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it.

just out of curiosity, is it possable to find out the law on that kinda thing? I don't wanna break the law, so I wont risk taking one if I cant find information on it, but I wanna do as much as possable to stop myself being followed/recorded on $cilons cameras

I'm not sure if there's a specific law relating to them but, as there have been previous cases of alleged eye injuries, police could use the existing laws on assault or offensive weapons, especially if you shine them towards someone and that person makes a complaint.

BBC News
Another BBC News report

Oh wank.

Guessnot then.

laser pens are right out for the UK. shining them into a person's eye is considered assault in this country. Shining it at a camera lens is not, but do you want to take the risk of missing?

My advice: see if you can find a powerful LED torch instead. I have a wind-up one that is REALLY bright, but not potentially damaging like a laser is. One of those shone at close range into a camera's lens will bugger up the picture no end, without being legally dodgy.

£1 at tesco for led torch.