Persecuted Photographers are spied upon.

Today I was accused of taking covert pictures of students at a local university. I did not, would not, but my protestations were seen as be being defensive because it was believed that I clearly had something to hide.

My actual crime? I had a large DSLR on show. It was switched off, and the lens cap was on, but nothing would persuade the officious security staff that I had not taken pictures of fellow students. 

Were all students carrying equipment capable of taking photos stopped and similarly accused? [ Be careful because before you answer that, consider what percentage of students at any institution have photo capable mobile phones, or laptops, or compact cameras, etc etc.]

No. Just those who clearly carried about large DSLRs. Me. 

No apology was given when I could prove that (a) I had a right to be in the Library where I was stopped, and (b) I had not taken any pictures at all that day; I had just not wanted to leave very expensive kit unattended in a car. 

Ironically, the officious staff member went away to check my story on the building's Close Circuit Television tapes. Spying on students? Taking covert pictures? 

Now we do know who is doing it!