Press photographer arrested at Just Stop Oil protest ‘incensed’ as police searched house
Police entered home while wife and daughter were there, press photographer Tom Bowles says
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A press photographer arrested covering a Just Stop Oil protest said he was asked to hand over his wedding ring and was “incensed” to find police had searched his house.
Tom Bowles was one of three journalists detained this week while the climate action group caused disruption by climbing on gantries over the M25. Documentary maker Rich Felgate and LBC reporter Charlotte Lynch were also arrested while covering the protests.
Mr Bowles has now recounted his ordeal, as Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner admitted the force had “got it wrong” following mounting criticism.
”My hands were handcuffed behind my back and I was put in the police van,” Mr Bowles told Channel 4 News. “They removed my shoes and my belt, and wanted my wedding ring and I refused.
“They wanted my phone... they’d taken everything,” he continued. “It did feel no matter what I said, it didn’t make any difference. It was like dealing with a security guard rather than dealing with police.”
The photographer said police searched his home while he was still in custody that night.
“Three male police officers had entered my house when my wife and daughter were there... I was absolutely incensed at that. I was appalled,” he told the broadcaster.
Video footage showed the moment Mr Bowles was arrested alongside Mr Felgate at a protest on Monday.
Mr Felgate, who is making a documentary on Just Stop Oil, told The Independent they were on a public bridge observing the protest when they were arrested.
He claimed officers said the pair were being arrested for conspiring to commit a public nuisance and held in a police station for around 13 hours before being let go.
“During that time, the police were really, really questioning about our press credentials, having a lot of suspicion about both of us being protesters rather than press,” the film-maker told The Independent.
There has been growing criticism of the police’s tactics this week following the arrests, with a number of MPs saying journalists should not be detained just for doing their jobs. On Wednesday the chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council stressed journalists have the “right to report on any form of protest”.
And in an interview on Thursday morning, Police and Crime Commissioner of Hertfordshire Police admitted the force “got it wrong” by arresting members of the Press.
Asked on LBC whether the detention of a reporter, as well as a documentary maker and a photographer, was an attempt to restrict coverage of the demonstration, David Lloyd said: “I am certain that there was no reason to arrest them such as you have given. As I said at the outset I think we got it wrong.”
Mr Lloyd’s comments come after Hertfordshire Police announced the arrests were being reviewed.
A statement issued on Wednesday said: “Chief Constable Charlie Hall recognises the concerns over freedom of the press following the recent arrests of journalists who were present at the scenes.
“As a result, additional measures are now in place to ensure that legitimate media can do their job.
“Primarily, officers have been instructed to ensure they conduct full and thorough checks before making an arrest decision, as well as getting a final approval by a supervisor before making any arrests of anyone who is identifying themselves as press.
“Further guidance on dealing with the press has been re-iterated to officers during briefings.
“In addition, Mr Hall is requesting an independent force to examine our approach to these arrests and to identify any learning we should take in managing these challenging situations.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments