Man arrested and locked up for five hours after taking photo of police van

When Andrew Carter saw a police van ignore no-entry signs to reverse up a one-way street to reach a chip shop, he was understandably moved to protest to the driver. Particularly as he lives on the road and always goes out of his way to obey the signs.

But his complaint brought a volley of abuse from PC Aqil Farooq.

And when Mr Carter took a picture of the van then tried to photograph the officer, PC Farooq rushed out of the shop and knocked his camera to the ground.

Mr Carter was then arrested and bundled into the van over claims he had 'assaulted' an officer with his camera, resisted arrest and was drunk and disorderly. He was held in a police cell for five hours before being released on bail at midnight.

Mr Carter, 44, lodged a complaint and has since received a personal apology from PC Farooq and Rob Beckley, deputy chief constable of Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

The force yesterday refused to comment on the case, except to say that the disciplinary process was resolved to Mr Carter's 'satisfaction'.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1046853/Man-arrested-locked-hours-taking-photo-police-van-ignoring-entry-sign.html?ITO=1490