A man was held for eight hours by police under anti-terrorism legislation after taking pictures of Christmas celebrations. And former paramedic Bob Patefield used his video camera to capture the moment police stopped him.

He was suspected of both suspicious and anti-social behaviour when using his camera to snap the festive footage in Accrington town centre.

Mr Patefield was questioned on three separate occasions by three police officers before being arrested under the Police Reform Act for not giving them his personal details.

On December 19, after being held for eight hours, he was released without any charges against him. A friend who had been with him all day, gave the police his name, and walked free. Shocked following the ordeal, amateur photographer Mr Patefield said the rights of the individual are being eroded by the day.

He said: "I didn’t go out to get arrested. I just wanted to be able to go about and take photos - my hobby - without interference."

He added: "We wanted to try out a new camera but I felt like we had been basically bullied out of the town centre. When I was arrested I felt pretty low. Our rights are being eroded by the day. We need to educate ourselves as to what our rights are in these situations."

Mr Patefield, who is in his 40s, shot footage leading up to his own arrest.

During the video he says there was a pleasant Christmas atmosphere on Accrington’s streets and that he was taking photos of everyday goings-on and people in fancy dress.

But he was soon approached, firstly by a PCSO who queried why he was taking pictures; then by a police officer who accused Mr Patefield of being sneaky; then by an acting sergeant who eventually arrested Mr Patefield after he refused to give his name and address.

MP for Hyndburn Greg Pope thinks the police acted properly: "At first glance you might think big brother Britain but I think they acted proportionately. It is his own fault because he didn’t explain himself."

Mr Pope added: "I’m not for a second saying he is a danger but I’m glad the police were on the ball. He is innocent because he has been released but I don’t think the police acted unreasonably."

Lancashire Constabulary maintain officers were within their rights to quiz Mr Patefield and encouraged him to complain if he wished.

A spokesperson said: "The constabulary does not routinely stop people taking photographs in a public place but clearly felt that the manner in which he was positioning his camera and the way it was making some members of the public feel could be construed as anti-social or indecent."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "There’s a great fear of a terrorist strike at the moment, especially with the impending general election. It is difficult for me to comment as I haven’t seen the video of this incident. We live in uncertain times but the one thing we don’t want is to turn into a police state."

A comment left on a popular photography website said: "Credit must go to Bob Patefield for standing his ground. He was merely going about his lawful business of street photography, a genre made famous by Cartier Bresson. It is neither unlawful nor suspicious nor antisocial."