This is the moment an award-winning photographer is arrested by Surrey Police after mistaking him for Just Stop Oil eco-warriors who destroyed a petrol station on the M25.
Captured on his dashcam Peter Macdiarmid, 57, is led back to his car so he can lock it up before being taken in a police van to Redhill police station with 20 other activists at Clacket Lane petrol station.
Just Stop Oil said it had disrupted four service stations on the M25 on Wednesday and would continue to do so “until there is a meaningful statement from Downing Street”.
They blocked access to petrol pumps by sitting in the road with banners, while some sabotaged petrol pumps by breaking the display glass, covering them with spray paint or locking on to them.
The environmental group said the protest was intended to “put further pressure on petrol and diesel supplies for the south-east ahead of the August bank holiday weekend”.
Police said petrol was unavailable until 1pm at the service stations although some pumps remain too damaged to be used
Mr Macdiarmid has covered the Arab Spring, refugees fleeing Iraq during the first Gulf War, Black Lives Matter protests and the violent London Riots.
He told The Standard: “It’s the first time I’ve been in cuffs in the 35 years I have covered protests.
“The protest was very calm, no one was glued on to anything officers were just waiting for transport to take the detainees.
“I photographed one woman being arrested and then went over to another group on the floor. I thought I had enough so I was going back to the car when an officer said ‘Where do you think you’re going?’
“It was very unusual to be in handcuffs and slightly disturbing because I’m going about my legal business. I wasn’t warned to leave.
“The police on the ground decided I was part of the protest and wouldn’t take any notice of my press pass. I tried to show them my camera too but I had cuffs on.
“I was sat on the ground for about an hour before being taken into custody.
“Initially the officer said he was arresting me on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass.”
The freelance photographer, who has worked for Reuters, The Independent and The Daily Telegraph, said he will be seeking legal advice on principle.
He said: “You do not arrest journalists covering protests. I will not be intimidated and am not going to stop covering them. Photographers should be allowed to work.”
Surrey Police said: “A 29-year-old and 57-year-old man were arrested at Clacket Lane services. Following further inquiries, they were both de-arrested and released with no further action.”
The force added: “We know tactics of this protest group include running onto forecourts at petrol stations, using glue to stick themselves to petrol tanks, and causing significant damage to property. Previous activity at these sites has had a substantial impact on businesses and the public.
“As such, officers respond as quickly as possible and wherever they can prevent protestors from being able to cause significant disruption and damage. This means the policing response is often fast-paced and complex.”
Mr Macdiarmid has been named News Photographer of The Year by the Press Photographer’s Year Awards and was a joint Pulitzer finalist for his photos of the Arab Spring.
Superintendent Graham Barnett said: “Whilst we will always seek to facilitate the public’s right to protest, the damage caused at the petrol stations earlier today is completely unacceptable and does not constitute a lawful protest.
“Officers responded quickly to the first call and began removing protests safely as soon as they arrived. Responding to protests of this nature is not easy, the tactics these groups use cause damage and significant disruption which requires a lot of time and officers to resolve. I’d like to thank the public for bearing with us during the disruption.”
