What are the laws regarding taking photos in a public place. I am in the UK?

Question

I take photos of statues, buildings, shops and general subjects. Sometimes normal candid photos of adults (never children).
The police leave me alone but 'security' oficers can be a problem. What powers do they have? Can they take the camera? If they ask for my name can I ask them for theirs first and the company they work for. I am thinking of having a recorder to record any insident and if they lay a hand on me then have them for asault.

Answer 1

Places where you are not allowed to take phographs will have signs indicating this; they will be mainly military establishments. As you have correctly thought, if you photograph children, certain inferences will be drawn. The police may also act if you are taking photographs of people getting changed on a beach for example, unless you have their consent. It is good practice to carry a few copies of a form for them to sign. If you are approaching them after the photo, you should destroy the picture in their presence if they object.
Security personnel have no more rights and powers than any other citizen. They can ask your name, as anyone else can, but you do not have to give it. They can make an arrest, as any citizen can, but with far less powers than the police, but in practice they will not do so. They will call the police when they think they should. You should not have to ask their name as they are committing an offence if they no not display a badge which must identify them. And no, they cannot take the camera. Most security officers in the UK are mature, sensible people but there are others. If you have trouble, you could call the police at the time.

Answer 2

Depends where you're taking the photos. Some places will have signs up saying "no photos" and you're going to have to respect that and not take any there. But anywhere else I think it's pretty much ok. Taking photos of people is kind of a gray area so I'd avoid that. If security asks you to stop - ask where the sign is saying you can't take photos. If they get funny with you about it, just drop it and move on. It's not worth the hassle.

Answer 3

public and privatley owned are two diffrent things. just becuase it is a place where the public gathers doesnt mean its a public place.

a mall is owned by a company so they can make the rules. however if there are no signs you can not get in trouble unless they have already asked you to stop

i was in hull once and taking pictures of a statue on a building that was very nice. I failed to notice that it was on a bank. the cops showed up and had a talk with me. I explained and showed them the photos and that they were only of the statue and they went on a bit scary though the bank officers called the cops thinking i was planning a robbery

Answer 4

There are no laws about taking the kind of pictures you take,for a security officer to get involved,you must be taking pictures in a "no photo's" area.If they are working in a building and you take photo's that your not supposed to,then they can ask you to leave,if you won't,they can physically escort you out of the building(you've probably got a bit hyper by then)as long as they don't batter you.I think that if it got that bad you would have really been taking the michael.

Answer 5

Just have a word in the local Blue Lamp! They'll advise. As regards buildings / installations or whatever just keep a respectful distance. The only time you can be bogeyed is once your inside their precincts. Security types don't have the same jurisdiction as the police and would be obliged to call the police in the event they wanted to question / detain you / or in in any way act as police officers!

However, common sense is the best safeguard at all times i. e. it doesn't do harm to ask if its OK

Answer 6

I was recently in a shopping precinct in Kendal Cumbria (which I know is owned by the local council) with a friend who was taking pictures of his father for private use. Two rather senior council officials who thought they were being targeted in some way got rather shirty and sent a security man to question us, when we made jokes about lack of work on their part they beat a hasty retreat much to the amusement of us and the slightly embarrassed security man.

Answer 7

The problem is they don't actually know what you are taking pictures of. In a crowded place people may very well think you are taking pictures of children. I don't think you should be taking candid photos of adults either - I would not be happy - what about their privacy? what do you need them for? Maybe people going about their everyday business complain. My mother's husband does the same he's got hundreds of pointless photographs. I've often told him that someone will complain - it's intrusive!

Answer 8

You may photograph anything you see in a public place, including naked people on the beach , if that's your thing.
(See pics of celebs with no knickers etc in your daily paper?. If they could stop them they would.)
Photos taken on private land without permission are an infringement of the owner's rights, and if asked to desist it would be wise to comply.
Photos taken on military property may result in prosecution, destruction of the media ( and camera) etc. These "designated" sites are clearly signed and you couldn't be unaware of the implications. Anyone else taking your camera is generally a mugger or a thief and should be reported !!!

Answer 9

No law you are free to take photo in public places. Security officers are just being over the top.

Answer 10

Something similar happened to a friend of mine who wanted to take candid shots of people in a shopping centre - he was told not to by security staff because they thought he was casing the place to rob it later.

They don't want you inadvertently recording images of the locks, maybe?