Thousands view 'stand-off' video of Youtuber's confrontation with officers outside Luton Police Station

An argument over why the man was filming led police to handcuff him and search his phone under Section 43 of the Terrorism Act.

There is no law against filming in a public street and officers have been criticised for their approach since the video was shared online.

But Bedfordshire Police said their officers are trained to tackle any “suspicious behaviour and any perceived threats”.

The man was filming in Rothesay Road for the YouTube channel, Auditing Britain, which has published several other videos outside police stations and other public property.

Footage shows the man interacting with a group of officers in Luton, as he states: “I am a member of the public, a law-abiding citizen who is interested in photography.”

Three trainees stay with him for over half an hour, while a PC goes back into Luton station.

Eventually, the PC returns and announces he is searching the man under Section 43 of the Terrorism Act as he has “refused to give a reason” why he was filming.

The man is then handcuffed and his phone is searched, after which he angrily complains to the officer.

One internet user wrote online: “When will these guys realise photography is not a crime. They are wasting their own time by sending multiple officers to speak to one guy doing a lawful activity.”

But another person said: “The ‘filmmaker’ is a nuisance and wasn’t prepared to give up any information. Imagine the scenario where someone films outside a police station all day and attacks an officer. It’s perfectly reasonable to ask what they’re doing!”

A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said: “We have been made aware of a video circulating on social media which shows our officers interacting with a man who was filming outside Luton

Police Station. While filming in a public location isn’t a criminal offence, our officers have been trained to look into suspicious behaviour and any perceived threat to the security of our officers, staff and police estates.

“We have had several reports from members of the public relating to this and the incident is being reviewed internally.”