Police delete picture tweeted by helicopter surveillance team of comedian in a London street after outraged reaction on social media over privacy implications

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Police have defended a picture tweeted by a helicopter team that shows the comedian Michael McIntyre standing in a London street.

The photo, posted on the National Police Air Service’s London twitter account (@NPASLondon), was captioned: “Whilst on tasking [sic] in central London this morning we spotted a certain energetic funny man ... Can you guess who?”

ITV News London (@itvlondon) Police deny breaking the law after tweeting spy camera pictures of Michael McIntyre http://t.co/qKT4uE9VmT pic.twitter.com/kihgaWSHX4

Michael McIntyre was snapped by a surveillance camera outside the Global Radio offices in Leicester Square at about 8am this morning.

The image provoked anger on social media, with some users expressing concern that the tweet was inappropriate. NPAS later removed the tweet.

Robin Wilton, using the Twitter handle @futureidentity, tweeted @NPASLondon: “Did you seek the individual’s consent? Or is this an abuse of your considerable surveillance powers?”

Robin Wilton (@futureidentity) @NPASLondon Did you seek the individual's consent? Or is this an abuse of your considerable surveillance powers?

Another, Edward Davie, a Labour councillor for Lambeth (tweeting as @EdDavie), said: “You do a great job but this is dodgy. Do you have permission to post pics of these people from a spy cam on Twitter?”

Edward Davie (@EdDavie) @NPASLondon you do a great job but this is dodgy. Do you have permission to post pics of these people from a spy cam on Twitter?

Helicopter surveillance used by the Metropolitan police is overseen by the National Police Air Service, with regional bases across the country.



The ground operations director for the NPAS, Supt Richard Watson, said: “We are aware of the tweet and, as far as we are aware, it does not breach any data protection legislation. We feel however it was inappropriate and it has since been removed.

“We will be speaking to the person who posted the tweet.”

Each aircraft carries a variety of hand-held digital cameras, capable of taking high-resolution images to be used for evidential purposes or to assist officers in planning and executing operations. They are also capable of streaming live footage to command bases.

Police also regularly fly planes over London that are fitted with surveillance equipment capable of intercepting phone calls and listening in on conversations, according to reports.

Gerard Batten, a Ukip MEP for London, condemned the branch for posting the photo, saying: “The photograph of Michael McIntyre by a police helicopter and its publishing online is a gross misuse of police power.

“It isn’t some private citizen taking a snap of a passing celebrity, this is the police, abusing their authority.

“The implications for civil liberties raised by this are appalling to consider. This isn’t Hollywood, this is real life.”