BP = Ban Photography?
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June 2004 |
"When the police turned up on my doorstep, I didn’t know why. Were they bringing me bad news about relatives? I was relieved to discover it was just because they thought I might be a terrorist."
The police visited Scottish Parliament researcher Dave Smith because the previous morning, he had stopped to take a picture of a giant flare at BP Grangemouth.
"The police were doing their job, but so was I," he explained. "I was driving to work on Tuesday. Even from Bo'ness, I could see the flare, which was almost as long as the stack below it, and as I approached, I could hear the roar. We often get complaints from constituents about the noise and light nuisance from flaring at BP, so I took a few photos to use in newsletters and on our website.
"I was happy to explain, and I think the police were relieved to hear that I wasn’t a terrorist. But after they left, I was concerned about the reason they were sent to visit me.
"For starters, I was on a main road. I wasn’t photographing anything that isn’t seen by lots of people. Secondly, anyone plotting to attack the plant is unlikely to drive a Morris Minor and spend several minutes very obviously taking photos. Thirdly, there are other places nearby where you get a good panoramic view of the whole plant – often used for TV footage. Not to mention a plentiful supply of pictures in BP’s own glossy publications - although these don’t normally include giant flares."
Dave works for Cathy Peattie MSP, whose Falkirk East constituency includes Grangemouth. After hearing the story, Cathy agrees that the incident raises questions about BP’s motivation.
"It's good that they have tightened up security since their recent break-in" she said, "but I'm not convinced that harassing people taking photographs does much good. Let's face it, if a terrorist wanted photographs, modern technology means that they could and probably would obtain them very discreetly.
"I don't think we should underestimate the dangers that we face, but I do think that this is not the most appropriate or acceptable way of dealing with the threat. I am concerned about the police time involved, and I worry that it betrays a lack of other more effective means of guarding the complex.
"I also wonder whether the company are making a fuss about photography as a way of bolstering their case for closing the part of the A904 that divides the BP complex. If their recent measures have increased their security expenditure, they will probably view that as an easy way to reduce their spending again.
"On top of this, the plan to split BP into two companies is likely to make security provision more complicated. And I also understand that the flaring could get worse."