Video footage given to the BBC for their use. My comments below are not supported nor endoresed by the BBC. The comments below are my own and represent 4TheRecord only.
April 29, 2011
Today I went to Soho Square in order to get some footage of a Zombie Party that was meant to be happening there. When I arrived I noticed how empty the place nearly was. There were more police then press and more press then the Zombies. It became clear after a while that many people were being prevented from getting to Soho Square. I saw people dressed as Zombies held for long periods on Oxford Street and around 30 police officers were waiting around one corner while a group of 20 waited at another corner.
It looked like anyone who was wearing fancy dress was being detained and it appeared that arrests were being made has the people never did arrive at Soho Square which was just around the corner.
After some time the people who were at the party started making music, singing and dancing. Out from nowhere a group of skin heads wearing normal clothing ran up to the man who was dancing the most and snatched him away. Afterwards I offered the footage to a BBC reporter at Soho Square and was asked if I could upload it. On my way to the internet cafe came across people in zombie dress and make up being detained. Within 1 minute I was detained and searched under Section 60.
I was not able to find an internet cafe to upload my memory card so I made my way back to Soho Square where I spoke with the BBC reporter to explain this problem. He arranged for me to go to British Broadcasting House in Regent Street and gave me directions. I noticed that two police officers at Soho were following me. They had seen me speaking with the BBC reporter before I left. When I got within 1 minute of the BBC on Regent Street I saw a police van stop and two officers looking at me while they ran over.
I tunred on my camera and started recording. This appeared to anger one of the officers who grabbed my left arm while other officers arrived and grabbed hold of my other arm. I was told it was a Section 60 stop and search. At this point both my amrs were being held and then another officer ripped my camera from my hand. After some time I was arrested for suspicion of handling a stolen credit card which was my card with my name on it.
When I arrived at West End Central I was informed by a police officer that this is where they took the Krays brothers. Whilst in the station I noticed some faces that I recognised from Soho Square. It took some time for the duty seargent to process me through but once he was done I was taken to have my photos taken. I then had to go for another set of photos with a lady. She must have been bored because she had a few reading books and magazines on the desk. I was then taken to the fingerprint machine and had all my prints taken. Once my fingerprints had been taken I was made to suck on a cotton bud until it tirned blue. I then had my DNA taken. The results of the drugs test was ready. It was an obvious negative and the officer seemed pleased with the result.
Before the arrest I had told the officers that this was my card. I also explained that I was fully aware of my rights and asked the officers if I was obliged to answer their questions. “you do not have to provide the officer with your name and address.” Met Police Website
I was released without charge and without caution and made my way back to British Broadcasting House on Regent Street.
After all this I made my way back to Soho Square but could not see anyone from before. It looked like a different place.
By James Newman