Policeman deletes tourist's photos 'to stop terrorism'... after he is 'caught' taking picture of iconic London bus

Two Austrian tourists have vowed never to return to London after police ordered them to delete their holiday photographs  -  to prevent terrorism.

Klaus Matzka, 69, and his 15-year- old son Loris were taking pictures of a double-decker bus in Walthamstow, North-East London, when they were approached by two policemen.

london buses

Austrian tourists Klaus and Loris Matzka were ordered to delete pictures of a London double decker in Walthamstow

The officers told them it was 'strictly forbidden' to take pictures of anything to do with public transport, before ordering the pair to delete the offending photographs.

They then took the Matzkas' details, including their full names, passport numbers and hotel address.

Mr Matzka, a retired TV cameraman from Vienna, said that the 'nasty incident' had 'killed any interest' the family had in returning to London.

'I've never had these experiences anywhere, never in the world, not even in Communist countries,' he added.

'These deletions were not only enforced destruction of private property but an infringement of our privacy.

'I understand the need for some sensitivity in an era of terrorism, but isn't it naive to think terrorism can be prevented by terrorising tourists?

'Google Street View is allowed to show any details of our cities on the world wide web, but a father and his son are not allowed to take pictures of London landmarks.'

Vauxhall station

Vauxhall Station: Mr Matzka regards it as a 'modern sculpture' but police made him delete pictures

Mr Matzka said he was particularly annoyed at having to delete pictures of Vauxhall bus station, a building he regards as 'modern sculpture'.

'You get to know a city by going to places like this, not central squares,' he told the Guardian.

'Buckingham Palace is also necessary, but you need to go elsewhere to get to know the city.'

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said it had no knowledge of a ban on photographing public transport in the capital.

Jenny Jones, of the Metropolitan Police Authority and London Assembly Green party member, said the incident was 'another example of the police completely over-reaching the anti-terrorism powers'.

She said she would be raising the issue with Met chief Sir Paul Stephenson as part of a discussion into police methods at the G20 protests in London two weeks ago.

'I have already written to Sir Paul... and made the point that if it was not for people taking photos, we would not know about the death of Ian Tomlinson or the woman hit by a police officer,' she added.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched investigations into both incidents at the G20 demonstrations.