Pirate is filmed by projectionist (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Pirate is filmed by projectionist

7:52pm Monday 3rd December 2007

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A cinema projectionist who stopped a man from illegally filming at a Croydon multiplex before turning the camera on the movie pirate has been rewarded for his bravery.

John Zold sprang into action when he spotted a man sitting at the back of an auditorium at the Croydon Vue, attempting to film The Simpsons Movie in July.

“John’s action was highly commendable and because of his diligence preventing the camcorder and following the procedures so well we were able to give him the highest reward in our campaign so far.”

Kieron Sharp director general of Fact

The projection manager approached the man and asked him to leave the cinema but the suspect fled, dropping his camera.

John then used the camcorder to film the suspect escaping from the cinema. The footage and CCTV images have been handed over to police and have been forensically examined.

As a thank you for his vigilance against piracy, John was given £350 by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (Fact) which was matched by his bosses at Vue Entertainment.

John was presented with a cheque for a total of £700, jointly funded by Fact through the Film Distributors' Association and Vue, at Vue West End.

Kieron Sharp, director general of Fact said: "Film piracy in the UK is a business that harms all sectors of the film industry, losing the industry close to half-a-billion pounds in 2006 alone.

"John's action was highly commendable and because of his diligence preventing the camcorder and following the procedures so well we were able to give him the highest reward in our campaign so far."

Steve Knibbs, Vue's chief operating officer, added: "We were delighted to reward John for his efforts. At Vue we are committed to the fight against film theft which is why we decided to match Fact's £350 reward."

The suspect has yet to be identified. If you have any information contact Croydon police on 020 8649 1212.

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