UK laws surrounding photography

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mark greenhill

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My partner is visiting UK for a month from April and needs to know whether she is likely to be challenged by police for photographing the sorts of buildings or areas that tourists normally do.

We have read the relevant sticky that sounds reassuring, however, what is the current reality?

She would appreciate any specific advice you might have on the issue.

Thanks.
 
In a public place you're free to photograph what you want in the UK. Currently the police are being arguably over-zealous with their use of section 44 of the anti-terrorism legislation and they may ask what business you have taking photo's of buildings etc. As long as you're cooperative with them they'll be happy your causing no problems and leave you to get on with your business.
 
Thanks Jamie ... we are very pleased to hear that and she is now looking forward to her visit.
 
Which parts of the UK is she visitng?
 
Tight Fart said:
Sound like a question that would have been asked when visiting Russia in the 70s.
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Says a lot about the impression the UK is giving off at the moment.

Just to back up what is been said - over all theres no reason for them to stop you but the services are a bit upperty tbh.

I'd like to think common sense would be used but then.......

If you are stopped just talk to them as they may be just checking and have a genuine reason for it.... other than that enjoy the UK..... I recommend the Lake District up north as a place to visit and for photographs.

Terran
 
I have never been stopped yet.
Last year I asked in the local police station If it would be OK shooting all the buildings in the high street as I would be using a tripod. His reply was why did I think there would be a problem?
 
Also, even if she is stopped, as long as she's not a gobby piece of work to the police, she'll be fine.... people massively overhype the 'omgpolicestate' thing, but almost all of the news reports that I've seen of it, the person who has since indignantly blogged or whatever about being stopped has been an absolute tool to the police just for the sake of it...they're people doing their jobs too, chances are they're not too desperate to see your holiday snaps really...start waving anti section 44 leaflets in their face when they rock up and their day will just get a whole lot worse and they'll treat you accordingly :P

*headwalls*
 
I will also advise not to point the camera to children, or weird people, well at least not when you are close to them. It is not illegal, but some weirdoes can be very nasty and aggressive. Also it is best to keep the camera in the bag in shopping complexes, supermarkets - i.e. on private property. Also taking pics of security cameras is a big no no in London if you want to stay out of trouble.
Personally I didn't have any issues, but I am not in London.
 
daugirdas said:
I will also advise not to point the camera to children...
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At the risk of going OT its this feeling ( I'm not saying your wrong btw more general ) that made me feel bad after thinking twice already on taking a photo of my missus and one of our kids at the swings the other day.

Some times I hate the world and the way it is at the moment....

Terran
 
Firstly, thanks to you each and all for your helpful comments and advice that she has paid careful attention to.

My partner migrated from Sussex with her folk at Twelve and holds both British and Australian Passports, but will be travelling as an Australian. She is always polite and tactful as English of her generation invariably are - an archetype, "Miss Goody Two Shoes" one might say.

Her itinerary is entirely flexible; initially she will stay in London for at least a week with a lady she met on an Antarctic cruise before visiting another who has invited her to stay with her in the Lakes District, which answers your Q, awp.

She also intends to walk down memory lane in her old home town, Bexhill, Sussex. Aside from those she says she will go just wherever fancy takes her, which is her way.

We spent 8 weeks in the UK during 1990 that was just fantastic - but in 2010 it's a whole new ball game - the world has changed.

awp said:
Which parts of the UK is she visitng?
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ccsnet said:
Says a lot about the impression the UK is giving off at the moment. Just to back up what is been said - over all theres no reason for them to stop you but the services are a bit upperty tbh.

I'd like to think common sense would be used but then.......
If you are stopped just talk to them as they may be just checking and have a genuine reason for it.... other than that enjoy the UK..... I recommend the Lake District up north as a place to visit and for photographs.Terran
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Terrywoodenpic said:
I have never been stopped yet.
Last year I asked in the local police station If it would be OK shooting all the buildings in the high street as I would be using a tripod. His reply was why did I think there would be a problem?
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itsdavedotnet said:
Also, even if she is stopped, as long as she's not a gobby piece of work to the police, she'll be fine.... people massively overhype the 'omgpolicestate' thing, but almost all of the news reports that I've seen of it, the person who has since indignantly blogged or whatever about being stopped has been an absolute tool to the police just for the sake of it...they're people doing their jobs too, chances are they're not too desperate to see your holiday snaps really...start waving anti section 44 leaflets in their face when they rock up and their day will just get a whole lot worse and they'll treat you accordingly :P *headwalls*
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daugirdas said:
I will also advise not to point the camera to children, or weird people, well at least not when you are close to them. It is not illegal, but some weirdoes can be very nasty and aggressive. Also it is best to keep the camera in the bag in shopping complexes, supermarkets - i.e. on private property. Also taking pics of security cameras is a big no no in London if you want to stay out of trouble.
Personally I didn't have any issues, but I am not in London.
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Forbiddenbiker said:
All photography taken with any grounds of The National Trust property cannot be used for commercially in any way. (Unless licensed.) :thumbs: .. Like everyone says, otherwise your free to shoot almost anything or anyone in a public place.
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mark greenhill said:
She is always polite and tactful as English of her generation invariably are
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If this is the case, she'll be absolutely fine! If she does get stopped by anyone (and to be honest they chances are pretty slim - you just never hear the reports of "I went to London today and no-one bothered me at all" :D), she'll show any over-keen policeman/woman her photos, they'll get bored, and wander off to mildly irritate someone else! :lol:

If she were to explode, start ranting about civil liberties, refuse to co-operate, then that's when you hear the stories of people haviong major issues!

Chris
 
Be a shame to come all this way and not see Scotland! :)
 
The reality is that he will be visiting a country gripped by paranoia and run like some third rate communist state.

If he is caught photographing something like a bus stop or a railway station, chances are that some poorly informed copper will stop and search him under section 44 of the terrorism act, if he is unlucky enough to walk down the street and get mugged he will see no police officer in sight and almost certainly the culprits will never be caught.

He will be recorded my thousands of CCTV cameras which the authorities will tell us are for our own protection but strangely do not stop deluded criminals with religious personality disorders blowing up tube stations and trains in the capital.

Oh yes and if he has a tan and is carrying a backpack on the tube, tell him to watch out for police officers who may rush at him and shoot him six times in the head.

Don’t worry though ‘British Justice’ will prevail, after a long and protracted trial the officer who killed him will attend the coroners court hidden behind a curtain so no one including the jury can see him.

After wasting millions of pounds and weeks of evidence and when it comes apparent that the officer in question was a reckless idiot who was criminally incompetent, the coroner will direct the jury to bring an ‘open verdict.

Which basicaly means the officer in question getrs off scott free and is still walking the steets of London with a gun

You did ask ;)
 
I spent a month in the UK in July last year and had no problems what so ever and I travelled around, “daaawn Sowfth” and “up norf”. Took photos everywhere. Only time I was a little concerned was taking shots of my nieces and nephews at a local play area. But as a woman I think people are less suspicious…I was careful not to get any one elses children in the shot though.

I think there is a lot of hype….but I am just glad I don’t live with that all the time…although it isn’t much better in VIC tbh.
 
There are issues, certainly, particularly in London, but let's not get it out of proportion as far as visitors to our country are concerned. There is a danger of painting far too bleak a picture. The advice given by some so far, to be polite and cooperate with the police if they approach you, is very sound and should prevent any real problem.

Whatever the wrongs or rights of Section 44 it is not for overseas visitors to make a stand, it is not their fight. It's up to us who live here to make a stand, if we feel strongly enough (and I do) and challenge this policy on the streets. I'm certainly not afraid of an altercation (peaceful, of course) with a police officer if it becomes necessary in order to defend my rights. There's very little they can do to you (except waste your time - and theirs) short of something that would enable you to sue them for megabucks. It's not like "Wind in the Willows" where Toad was sentenced to 19 years for "cheeking a policeman."

And that's the whole point - we can resist and protest if we wish, because we are still a free country and a democracy. I wouldn't fancy considering similar action in China, for example! O.K., we're a little less free than we used to be and that's why it is so important that we make a stand while we are still able. But this is a fight for us to win and not for overseas visitors to become involved in. So, tell your partner not to be alarmed if she is approached by a police officer whilst taking photographs, it really is just routine. She'll be absolutely fine if she remains polite and cooperative. I hope she has a wonderful trip. :)
 
The reality is that he will be visiting a country gripped by paranoia and run like some third rate communist state.

If he is caught photographing something like a bus stop or a railway station, chances are that some poorly informed copper will stop and search him under section 44 of the terrorism act, if he is unlucky enough to walk down the street and get mugged he will see no police officer in sight and almost certainly the culprits will never be caught.

He will be recorded my thousands of CCTV cameras which the authorities will tell us are for our own protection but strangely do not stop deluded criminals with religious personality disorders blowing up tube stations and trains in the capital.

Oh yes and if he has a tan and is carrying a backpack on the tube, tell him to watch out for police officers who may rush at him and shoot him six times in the head.

Don’t worry though ‘British Justice’ will prevail, after a long and protracted trial the officer who killed him will attend the coroners court hidden behind a curtain so no one including the jury can see him.

After wasting millions of pounds and weeks of evidence and when it comes apparent that the officer in question was a reckless idiot who was criminally incompetent, the coroner will direct the jury to bring an ‘open verdict.

Which basicaly means the officer in question getrs off scott free and is still walking the steets of London with a gun

You did ask
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Hmmm... someone's got issues. If you really believe all that rubbish, keep taking the pills. They may work - eventually.:thumbsdown:
 
Holden Caulfield said:
The reality is that he will be visiting a country gripped by paranoia and run like some third rate communist state.
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Third rate Communist states aren't all they are cracked up to be. I mean, they are nothing compared to a First Rate Communist State. The first raters State Security are so much more effecient, their jails more accomodating and the paranoia levels virtually sublime.

So, I don't reccommend you visit only a Third Rate Communist State, pay the extra and go the whole hog.

Seriously, the UK can be a bit twitchy in places, but you'll be fine. People who say otherwise have no knowledge of the things to which they compare the place to ;-)
 
desantnik said:
Third rate Communist states aren't all they are cracked up to be. I mean, they are nothing compared to a First Rate Communist State. The first raters State Security are so much more effecient, their jails more accomodating and the paranoia levels virtually sublime.

So, I don't reccommend you visit only a Third Rate Communist State, pay the extra and go the whole hog.

Seriously, the UK can be a bit twitchy in places, but you'll be fine. People who say otherwise have no knowledge of the things to which they compare the place to ;-)
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Respect :thumbs:
 
chris321 said:
If this is the case, she'll be absolutely fine! If she does get stopped by anyone (and to be honest they chances are pretty slim - you just never hear the reports of "I went to London today and no-one bothered me at all" :D), she'll show any over-keen policeman/woman her photos, they'll get bored, and wander off to mildly irritate someone else! :lol:
If she were to explode, start ranting about civil liberties, refuse to co-operate, then that's when you hear the stories of people having major issues! Chris
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I'm sure she will behave intelligently and with all the good advice from you and others, I've no doubt that she will not be hassled.
awp said:
Be a shame to come all this way and not see Scotland! :)
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P9200093.jpg

Aye awp! ... We both enjoyed Scotland very much on our 1990 visit when all the world was wonderful!
​
rellik666 said:
I spent a month in the UK in July last year and had no problems what so ever and I travelled around, “daaawn Sowfth” and “up norf”. Took photos everywhere. Only time I was a little concerned was taking shots of my nieces and nephews at a local play area. But as a woman I think people are less suspicious…I was careful not to get any one elses children in the shot though. I think there is a lot of hype….but I am just glad I don’t live with that all the time…although it isn’t much better in VIC tbh.
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We live in a different world nowadays to what it used to be. But as you say, as a mature age an English / Australian woman, probably sight seeing with her friend, they are unlikely to arouse suspicion and will probably be left alone.
goldenlight said:
There are issues, certainly, particularly in London, but let's not get it out of proportion as far as visitors to our country are concerned. There is a danger of painting far too bleak a picture. The advice given by some so far, to be polite and cooperate with the police if they approach you, is very sound and should prevent any real problem.

Whatever the wrongs or rights of Section 44 it is not for overseas visitors to make a stand, it is not their fight. It's up to us who live here to make a stand, if we feel strongly enough (and I do) and challenge this policy on the streets. I'm certainly not afraid of an altercation (peaceful, of course) with a police officer if it becomes necessary in order to defend my rights. There's very little they can do to you (except waste your time - and theirs) short of something that would enable you to sue them for megabucks. It's not like "Wind in the Willows" where Toad was sentenced to 19 years for "cheeking a policeman."

And that's the whole point - we can resist and protest if we wish, because we are still a free country and a democracy. I wouldn't fancy considering similar action in China, for example! O.K., we're a little less free than we used to be and that's why it is so important that we make a stand while we are still able. But this is a fight for us to win and not for overseas visitors to become involved in. So, tell your partner not to be alarmed if she is approached by a police officer whilst taking photographs, it really is just routine. She'll be absolutely fine if she remains polite and cooperative. I hope she has a wonderful trip. :)
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Thanks there goldenlight - from all you've said, she's reassured.
 
chris321 said:
If she were to explode, start ranting about civil liberties, refuse to co-operate, then that's when you hear the stories of people haviong major issues!

Chris
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Then she'd be the very sort of person the anti-terrorism laws are in place for :naughty: :exit:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Then she'd be the very sort of person the anti-terrorism laws are in place for :naughty: :exit:
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Sorry Flash, I don't quite see your point here. Are you saying that the anti-terrorism laws were really established not to prevent terrorism but to silence civil liberty protests?

That's a more cynical view than even I hold and - if it were true - would be a damning indictment of both the Metropolitan Police and the Government. Come to think of it, the European Court of Human Rights seem to concur, at least partially, with your theory. Maybe you're onto something there - now I'm even more alarmed!
 
Thanks again to all. I think she has the message and with due respect, I think it's time to close the thread. :-)
 
goldenlight said:
Sorry Flash, I don't quite see your point here. Are you saying that the anti-terrorism laws were really established not to prevent terrorism but to silence civil liberty protests?

That's a more cynical view than even I hold and - if it were true - would be a damning indictment of both the Metropolitan Police and the Government. Come to think of it, the European Court of Human Rights seem to concur, at least partially, with your theory. Maybe you're onto something there - now I'm even more alarmed!
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See the bold part of the post Flash is quoting John, I think he was making a funny. ;)
 
fabs said:
See the bold part of the post Flash is quoting John, I think he was making a funny. ;)
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You're absolutely right and I missed that! :bonk: My apologies to Flash (Graham). Still, it did give me the opportunuty to make another point.

What this does illustrate is how important it is to keep this issue in perspective and, most important, retain a sense of humour. :)
 
People who say otherwise have no knowledge of the things to which they compare the place to ;-)
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And people who dont beleive what they see and what is happening may well start to discover that we our on our way to living in the kind of society they have visited ;)
 
If she were to explode, start ranting about civil liberties, refuse to co-operate, then that's when you hear the stories of people haviong major issues!
Click to expand...

To right 'civil liberties. blimey who needs them personally I would be happy to be tagged and have a number tattoed on my forhead.... after all .. I have nothing to fear if i have done nothing wrong......:cuckoo:
 
Holden Caulfield said:
And people who dont beleive what they see and what is happening may well start to discover that we our on our way to living in the kind of society they have visited ;)
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Well, every journey starts with a single step, but the final destination is not clear or set in stone until the final step.

Have you ever been to France or Germany or USA?
 
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