Lactodorum: Dear Cache Owner,
There was an incident in one of the London parks recently where a pair of cachers attracted the attention of the Metropolitan Police whilst searching for a cache.
As a result the Met, and their Special Search Unit became aware of geocaching and very concerned about suspicious objects in the vicinity of Whitehall and Westminster.
A major concern was the disruption and unrest that could occur if the immediate area had to be evacuated and the object disposed of.
The Met SSU subsequently contacted the GAGB, and they in turn involved the UK reviewers.
Deceangi was in very positive discussion with the Met SSU and together with the GAGB the following conditions were agreed: and which are viewable at http://www.gagb.org.uk/glad/agreement_view.php?p=40
1: Due to the high security status of these areas:
SW1
Whitehall
St James and Green Parks
Cachers are requested to try to avoid acting in a suspicious or furtive manner, when searching for a geocache or when placing one.
2:The following prominent warning to be placed on all cache pages in plain text, within the
areas affected by this agreement.
"This cache is located within an area frequently patrolled by Police. Please avoid acting suspiciously whilst searching for it, and if challenged, explain about geocaching"
3: All containers to be clearly marked as Geocaches.
4: All owners of caches in the affected areas to provide a written description of the container and a general description of how it is hidden [e.g . magnetic, under bush, attached to underside of seat]. These written descriptions to be updated immediately if the container is changed or moved.
5: Cache owners to provide a photograph of the container [to be updated immediately if the container is changed].
6: Deceangi to act as liaison between the Metropolitan Police Unit and the UK Reviewer Team and UK geocaching community.
7: Deceangi to provide and maintain an up-to-date cache location map of the affected areas.
As a consequence it has been decided that the reviewers will archive all caches in the areas concerned until they receive documentary evidence that the conditions have been met.
We will check all cache pages after a 3 week period, and reserve the right to arrange for a agent acting on behalf of the UK Reviewer Team to remove those not meeting the above conditions so as to remain in compliance with the agreement with the Specialist Search Unit-Metropolitan Police Force.
We are regret this has to happen, but for the safety of cachers and for the future of the sport in this area of London we feel it is essential.
The UK reviewing team.