Police have launched an internal review after a Bristol man claims he was detained and searched because he was taking photos of a police station.
Christopher Batt, from Hartcliffe, told Bristol Live he was taking pictures for a documentary about the city's past and present when he was stopped in the city centre.
While outside Bridewell Police Station, he says an officer walked out and started asking him questions.
Mr Batt claims he tried to explain what he was doing, but moments later was told he was being detained under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act.
This section of the Act says any police officer could stop and search anyone or any vehicle within a specific area, but it was repealed in May 2012. It was replaced by section 47A, which states a constable in uniform must "reasonably suspect" an act of terrorism will take place before stopping and searching someone.
'I felt violated'
The dad-of-six alleges the officer did not look at his camera during the search.
He told Bristol Live he was allowed to continue with his project after being held for about 25 minutes.
"I felt violated," said Mr Batt. "I wasn't doing anything wrong.
"He followed me down the street and he held me for around 25 minutes.
"Section 44 was repealed in 2012 by the European Court of Justice.
"Even if they used the correct law, the officer didn’t have reasonable grounds to suspect me of being a terrorist.
"All I was doing was taking a few pictures. I explained to him why I was taking them and I asked him if he was going to detain me."
What the police have said
An Avon and Somerset Constabulary spokesperson confirmed an internal review is now taking place.
He said: "We detained a man who we believed was acting suspiciously outside Bridewell police station on Sunday afternoon at about 4pm. He claimed that he was journalist taking photographs of the police building and police vehicles.
"He became obstructive when spoken to by the officer and was detained for a search under the Terrorism Act.
"Nothing was found, although the man was unable to provide ID to confirm he was a journalist.
"The man claims the officer assaulted him during the search and has made a complaint which has been referred to the force’s Professional Standards Department for review."
