Paddling pool photo ban

Phil Stevens had wanted to recapture some happy childhood memories of playing in Peter Pan's Playground and paddling pool, but two council workers insisted he delete all his snaps '“ even the ones of the empty pool '“ because of "child protection rules".
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Aug 2003, 16:45 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:02 BST

He told the Herald: "I was embarrassed they thought I was taking photos of children specifically.

"Although I can understand the child protection rule, I think it's sad you cannot take photographs of places where you played as a child without being branded a paedophile.

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"I would very much like to hear the council's answer as to why they tell their employees to stop members of the public taking photos of the empty padding pool.

"It's political correctness gone mad."

Mr Stevens had been visiting Worthing from his home in Bexhill to see his nephews take part in the bank holiday carnival when he decided to take some pictures of his favourite childhood playground spots.

"I went along to Peter Pan's Playground and the paddling pool. I remember spending many happy hours there as a child. My parents took me there when we lived in Brighton as a special treat," he said.

"As I had my camera with me for the carnival, I decided to take a few photos for nostalgia.

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"As I left, two lifeguards/council workers came running up and said I had to delete the photos.

"I asked why, and they said it was because of child protection rules.

"I told them I played there as a child which is why I took the photos, and no other reason.

"My intention was to put them in the same album as my childhood pictures taken there."

Mr Stevens made a show of deleting the pictures, but did not complete the process.

A spokesman for Worthing Council said they could not comment.

Related topics:BexhillBrighton