Photographers Manhandled by Intu Derby Security

Here at the TV Licensing Blog we are enthusiastic proponents of the public's right to film, which is why we are deviating from normal service to highlight this story. We also have a particular interest in this case, because one of the photographers was none other than our good friend and noble colleague Matt Williams.

Matt has not yet publicly shared his full video, but has kindly given us a preview and allowed us to republish some stills from it. Stay tuned to his channel for when the full version finally goes live, as we're sure it will attract widespread media interest.

Having carefully studied the 36-minute video, we are quite satisfied that both photographers acted in a calm and law-abiding manner throughout. We are also quite satisfied that at the time of the incident there was no visible indication that photography was prohibited at Intu Derby although, for understandable reasons, that might not be the same situation now.

On the morning of Monday, 8th June 2015 Matt and his friend Steffan were taking photographs and video footage from Intu Derby's public roof-top car park. The car park provided the ideal vantage point to view the soon-to-be demolished Wilderslowe Tower, which stands in the grounds of Derbyshire Royal Infirmary only a few hundred yards to the south. Audio footage recorded at the time confirms Matt's interest in the Wilderslowe Tower and the changing shape of Derby's skyline.

Matt has a general interest in the old Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, as he has previously undertaken several "urban exploration" visits to the abandoned site. During one such visit he found confidential patient medical records strewn across the floor, which was subsequently reported by the local media.

A security guard noticed the pair filming over the barrier at the edge of the car park and approached to ask what they were doing. The guard, displaying the name Darran on his badge, asked Matt and Steffan to stop filming and present their ID. Matt and Steffan carried about their business, seemingly unperturbed by the security man's presence.

Matt, being a bit of a joker, unsuccessfully tried his Jedi mind tricks on guard Darran, as shown in a preview video currently available on his YouTube channel. The security man, who had just been speaking on his radio, asked if he could view the photos they had taken. He astutely deduced "you obviously like taking photos, with all that equipment you've got". The pair then edged towards the level 7 stairwell, with guard Darran following them downstairs to the level 2 shopping centre. Having descended several flights of stairs Matt and Steffan sat down for a few moments, which allowed their pear-shaped pursuers to catch their breath. Fortuitously, given the events about to unfold, they had decided to keep their cameras rolling.

A minute or so later shaven-headed security guard Mark strolled across and informed the pair that "the police are coming to check you out". Steffan could be heard asking why, to which the guard Mark replied something about the car park and "we don't know who you are". A few more seconds later Matt got to his feet and started to walk towards the exit, at which point guard Mark grabbed him by the arm.

Matt was understandably aggrieved at being manhandled, but somehow managed to maintain his composure. "Woah, woah, woah - you have no powers to detain me and you have no right to touch me", he protested to guard Mark. In the background guard Darran wrongly replied that his follicly-challenged colleague did have the right to detain Matt and Steffan. He could also be heard telling Matt "you're not leaving the centre".

It was at the point that grey-bearded guard Stuart strolled onto the scene. He reiterated that Matt and Stefan would not be leaving and were being detained until the police arrived. Matt made a second attempt to walk away, at which point Stuart forcibly grabbed his arm and frogmarched him behind a staff-only door.

Matt told guard Stuart to "get off me" and warned "you are going to see some serious bother for this", but at all times he remained calm and civil. In the enclosed staff-only area guard Stuart was seen to push Matt against the wall and reiterated that was being detained until the police arrived. A few moments later Matt again tried to leave, but was grabbed and pushed back inside the room by guard Stuart.

Moments later Matt was escorted back through the public shopping centre towards a second staff-only area where Steffan was being held by three guards (guard Mark, guard Darran, plus another). Matt asked guard Stuart "have I committed any crimes?", to which he replied "we'll see when the police get here". Guard Stuart then falsely claimed that "there's big signs on the door when you come in here (saying) no photography, no cameras". Both photographers again stressed their desire to leave the shopping centre, which was refused by the four guards now present.

After what must have been an uncomfortable 5 or 6 minutes the police eventually arrived and quickly established that Matt and Steffan had been photographing the old Derbyshire Royal Infirmary site from the shopping centre's roof-top car park. 

The male officer took Matt's details and his female colleague dealt with Steffan. After a few checks the police were satisfied that no criminal offences had been committed and explained that Intu had decided to ban Matt and Steffan from its premises for a period of 2 years. It was at this point that Matt attempted to report guard Stuart for assault, but the male police officer didn't seem interested in taking his complaint.

The pair were then escorted out of the shopping centre by guard Mark and went straight to St Mary's Wharf police station to report guard Stuart's behaviour and provide copies of their video evidence. The police have also requested Intu Derby's own CCTV footage and are currently investigating Matt's complaint.

We have serious concerns about the manner in which Intu Derby's security staff handled this incident. Whilst it may, in certain limited circumstances, be acceptable for private security to detain a person they reasonably suspect of committing a criminal offence, it is not legally acceptable to manhandle members of the public simply for taking photographs or video footage. Such actions, in our opinion, were a gross overreaction, clear abuse of authority and unlawful assault.

Given the amount of photography equipment Matt and Steffan were carrying, there can be little doubt about the innocuous purpose of their visit to Intu Derby that morning. There is no suggestion whatsoever that the pair were acting suspiciously or committed any criminal offences during their visit. They were simply pointing their cameras at the Wilderslowe Tower and clicking away.

Matt and Steffan are to be commended for the passive manner in which they interacted with the aggressive Intu Derby security staff. At no point did either of them raise their voices, use any sort of abusive language or threatening behaviour. If anything both remained very calm and polite considering the circumstances.

We actively encourage anyone with a camera to make a point of taking photos and video footage in Intu shopping centres around the UK.