Know your Rights when Taking Photographs

(updated 24th September 2021)

There is some confusion about this topic but the following is extracted from the “askthe.police.uk/Q717" and photographic sites as of September 2021. It is not intended to be contentious or legally binding, merely a common sense approach to taking photos in public places without alienating other people.

It is not illegal for members of the public to take photographs in public places unless it is for criminal or terrorists purposes. There are places where you can have access as a member of the public, but will need to seek permission, or may be prevented altogether. These could include stately homes, museums, churches, shopping malls and stations. These may be considered public places but are in fact privately owned. Members of the Public and the media do not need a permit to film or photograph in public places and the police have no power to stop them. In a public place, no one, including police officers, has the right to ask you to stop, confiscate equipment, or delete any photos from your memory card. The exception is if you were thought to suspected of a terror related crime, in which case you could be arrested.

Rather surprisingly, here is no privacy law in this country, other than related to intimidation following continual harassment.

The sensible approach is to be polite and thoughtful. Parents of children can understandably be especially protective and if you wish to consider taking shots of their offspring it might be wise to have a chat with them first, explain why you want a specific shot and accept their wishes. Consideration is the key, but you also have your rights.