Bosses at Liverpool's Echo Arena are reviewing their security policy after a disabled amateur photographer was told he posed a terror threat.

Mike Evans said he was left "dumbfounded" when he was told by staff if he did not stop taking photographs they would call the anti-terror police.

The 41-year-old, who has osteoporosis of the spine, had been taking snaps of the Mersey estuary by the docks.

Echo Arena managers have also apologised for any distress caused.

Mr Evans and his brother were adamant with the two security guards that they were only taking photographs of the estuary - their cameras were not even pointed towards the concert venue, they said.

'Total dampener'
Despite showing the guards the regulations under sections 43 and 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 - which state there is "no restriction on people taking photographs in public places or of any building other than in very exceptional circumstances", the guards dismissed their protests.

"It put a total dampener on the day to be honest," Mr Evans, a father of two said, "We showed them the photos we had taken but they still did not leave us alone.

"In fact, they even said that CCTV was recording us and they would be able to tell if we got some snaps of the arena."

Echo Arena's Tim Banfield added: "We apologise for any distress caused.

"We have no desire to restrict amateur and professional photographers with a genuine interest.

"But with the best interests of visitor and guest safety we must show due diligence and we are currently in the process of reviewing our security policy."

It's becoming less and less unusual to read these kinds of stories now.
It's really infuriating that the police

This is private security guards being idiotic, not police.

Private security? I'd have told him quite cleary to get [LIFTED]. Then when the police came I'd tell them the same. Then where their super came if he/she still didnt take any notice of THE LAW I'd tell them to get [LIFTED] too. I'm stubborn like that. Especially when I know I'm not breaking any laws (well... apart from telling officers to get [LIFTED]!).

Memorise these magic words: "I'd like you to arrest me please"

Unless they're only security guards, in which case they can eat [LIFTED].

If they arrest you then they have to prove that you were a threat, and that would mean you could sue them for unlawful arrest.

I do agree that if they used the powers sparingly it would not be an issue but they are not using it properly. They are using it for any purpose whatsoever. My point would have been that as a person who is not a terrorist to be arrested for acts that would clearly label me as a terrorist then I would feel compelled to sue to clear my name, If it cost the police £250 000 to restore my reputation then that is the price that they should pay.