That this House is concerned to encourage the spread and enjoyment of photography as the most genuine and accessible people’s art; deplores the apparent increase in the number of reported incidents in which the police, police community support officers (PCSOs) or wardens attempt to stop street photography and order the deletion of photographs or the confiscation of cards, cameras or film on various specious ground such as claims that some public buildings are strategic or sensitive, that children and adults can only be photographed with their written permission, that photographs of police and PCSOs are illegal, or that photographs may be used by terrorists; points out that photography in public places and streets is not only enjoyable but perfectly legal; regrets all such efforts to stop, discourage or inhibit amateur photographers taking pictures in public places, many of which are in any case festooned with closed circuit television cameras; and urges the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers to agree on a photography code for the information of officers on the ground, setting out the public’s right to photograph public places thus allowing photographers to enjoy their hobby without officious interference or unjustified suspicion.

It’s a shame there’s even a need for such a photography code, but with one in place, at least those of us who like taking snaps in public will have something to refer to when jobsworth security guards and bored rozzers attempt to harass folk going about their perfectly legal business.

If your MP hasn’t signed the motion the best way to get in touch and give him or her an encouraging nudge is via WriteToThem.

I’ve written to my MP, Ann McKechin, but since her record on issues like this is pretty dubious — she’s strongly in favour of dubious anti-terror legislation and ID cards — I doubt it’ll do much good. Should McKechin reply, I’ll post her response here.

> I will actively support those people who, on behalf of all of us, refuse to register for an ID card, and I pledge to pay at least £20 into a fighting fund for them but only if 50000 other people will too.

If you’re against ID cards but fear that not registering would hamper your or your family’s ability to work, travel and generally exist with full civil rights, do sign up.

PUNK rock fan Mike Devine sent an innocent text message containing lyrics by The Clash - and was quizzed as a terror suspect after it was INTERCEPTED.

Computer worker Mike, 35, was confronted by a Special Branch cop at his office and taken for a grilling.

He was stunned to be shown a printout of his text which contained the words gun and jet airliner.

Okay, so The Sun isn’t exactly the most reputable source out there, but if true, it represents a step up in intrusive surveillance of our everyday communications.

And, as Spyblog points out, either David Blunkett has expressley given permission to spooks to scan SMS messages for dodgy content, or the security services were acting illegally.

The Register and the Evening Standard have a different take on the affair, quoting a Somerset & Avon Police source claiming that the text was mistakenly sent to a woman in Bristol who alerted the authorities, with The Register casting doubt on this explanation. (It does sound just like something a spy would make up to cover her tracks, no? And, like, does Somerset & Avon sound like a real place to you?)

Perhaps readers braver than I would like to try sending out a few inflammatory SMS messages and waiting to see whether any Special Branch goons pop by for a quiet chat?