Police warn boys over lamp post

Ananova
Mar. 25, 2006

Three boys were told off by police - for taking a picture of a lamp post.

Danny Finn, 12, Michael Fearn and George Supple, both 13, were stopped as they walked home from school.

Danny was handed paperwork by the police which reads: Reason for stop: 'Was seen taking photos of lamp post . . . advice given'.

Cops also gave an official note to Michael and George. It states: 'Hanging around lamp post - spoken to'.

According to The Sun Danny of Hartley, Kent, said: "I couldn't believe it. I had no idea I could get in trouble for taking a photo of a lamp post. We thought it must have been a joke."

Danny took the photo of his worn initials on the lamp post with his mobile while his pals looked on.

Two police community officers saw them and asked why Danny was taking the photo before making out the paperwork, handing it over and moving the boys on.

Danny's dad Steve said: "At first I thought there must have been more to it.

"I asked him whether he had been damaging the lamp post or causing a nuisance, but he insisted he hadn't. He's not that kind of boy. I just think this is ridiculous and I couldn't believe it when I saw the ticket."

Kent Police confirmed the boys were spoken to because they were "taking pictures of graffiti".

They said it was Home Office rules to hand out paperwork recording the time, date and reason a person is stopped and spoken to.