Hertfordshire Police illegally arrest lawful LBC journalist and cameraman.

Is this because these are Police tyrants, or have no clue about the Law for real. ACPO issued a letter in 2010 to all forces not to stop people filming in public. Yet again the police blunder is a threat to freedom of the press.

LBC journalist Charlotte Lynch was released after after being arrested while covering an eco-protest spent hours in police custody in Stevenage.

on twitter Charlotte wrote “It was absolutely terrifying being in a cell with a pad for a bed in one corner and a metal toilet in the other. I was just doing my job.”

What’s also terrifying is what this means for press freedom. It was blindingly obvious I was a reporter.”

Documentary maker Rich Felgate and photographer Tom Bowles had been capturing the activists on a footbridge over the M25 near Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, at close to 11am on Monday when they were handcuffed.

The pair, both of whom said they had no affiliation with the group, had their equipment seized and were taken to a police station, despite efforts to show their press cards.

Mr Bowles, 47, from Hackney, east London, told PA he was held until 1.30am, hours after his wife and 14-year-old daughter were woken up as three officers searched their home.

Dawn Alford, executive director of the Society of Editors, said: “The society is deeply concerned by reports this week of a number of journalists being arrested while reporting on protests by the campaign group Just Stop Oil.

“The protests are a source of legitimate public interest and journalists, filmmakers and photographers have a right to attend protests and report on behalf of the public.

“We strongly condemn the arrest of journalists in the course of their work and will be writing to Hertfordshire Police to seek an urgent explanation and seek assurances that its officers respect the rights of journalists and understand that such actions threaten press freedom.”

Statement by Herts Police

Chief Constable Charlie Hall recognises the concerns over freedom of the press following the recent arrests of journalists who were present at the scenes. As a result, additional measures are now in place to ensure that legitimate media can do their job. Primarily, officers have been instructed to ensure they conduct full and thorough checks before making an arrest decision, as well as getting a final approval by a supervisor before making any arrests of anyone who is identifying themselves as press.

Further guidance on dealing with the press has been re-iterated to officers during briefings.

This is why social media journalists are making Police Audit videos, because of Tyrants in uniform.