James
I think you're presuming a great deal. You weren't standing there with a mobile in your hand, so you can't know what would have happened can you?
You've assumed, which is exactly what you are accusing the PCSO of doing.
Has it crossed your mind that you may have looked a bit suspect irrespective of the camera? Have you intimate knowledge of the number of burglary's muggings and other crime in that street? I doubt it very much.
I'm afraid the assumption, because that is all it is, of some sort of prejudice against photographers is incorrect, there isn't. I can say that having been Old Bill, and a photographer. I've walked passed 100's of 1000's of people with a camera, and I have also stopped and questioned photographers. Not simply because that have an slr over their shoulder, although obviously stopping and advising Nikon owners should be a public duty, but because something else has made me think.
Until and unless Police are issued with ESP, then people with cameras who have done nothing wrong will get stopped and asked to account. Thats exactly the same as drivers of cars, people hanging about outside banks, people walking round with boxes at midnight or just about any other activities, mostly they have done nothing at all wrong but far more people falling into those activities get stopped than people with cameras.
Unfortunately, like it or not cameras are used in crime, and sometimes photographers put themselves in a position where it all looks wrong.
