Facebook campaign calls for boycott of Braehead Shopping centre over photography restrictions
A social media campaign calling for people to boycott one of Scotland's largest shopping centres, the Braehead Shopping Centre, has begun to escalate, after its organiser was detained by security for taking a picture of his daughter.
The campaign, which began on Facebook, began after the organiser set up page calling for the boycott of the centre after he was detained by security at the centre after being spotted taking pictures of his daughter eating an ice cream.
In explaining the situation in a letter to the Evening Times, published on the campaign page, Chris White claims to have explained, when stopped and questioned, that the only pictures were of his daughter and that he wasn’t willing to delete the pictures, which had already been uploaded to Facebook.
Police were then called, claiming that pictures were not allowed within the centre and that he was breaching privacy. It is also claimed that one of the attending officers claimed that he was able to confiscate the mobile phone and delete the pictures under the Prevention of Terrorism act.
The full letter explaining the situation can be found here, including the response to the calls to boycott the centre.
White also claims that he was told that security could ban him from the shopping centre for taking pictures.
The page, set up on Friday afternoon has provided a response, with many comments on the site, and through Twitter, while it has over 650 likes too.
Media outlets such as STV and The Firm magazine, as well as the Evening Times, are known to be interested in the story too, highlighting that the management at Braehead Shopping Centre has a crisis PR situation on its hands.
One respondent has called for a flash mob organised of parents to take photographs of their children in defiance of the centre’s rules.
Updated: A spokesperson for Braehead said: “Staff at an ice cream stall in Braehead became suspicious after they saw a male shopper taking photographs at their counter. The staff thought the man had also been taking photographs of them and they alerted one of the centre’s security staff.
“The member of security staff approached the man and politely asked if he had been taking photographs. Because of the nature of the incident, police became involved and also spoke to the man.
“Our priority is always to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for all of our shoppers and retailers. The member of our security staff acted in good faith.
“We have a’ no photography’ policy in the centre to protect the privacy of staff and shoppers and to have a legitimate opportunity to challenge suspicious behaviour if required."
“However, it is not our intention to - and we do not - stop innocent family members taking pictures.”
Strathclyde Police are understood to be investigation the situation after a complaint was received about the police officers involved.