Orwellian UK government pamphlet contradicts police on photography law. Imagine if Martin Parr had been prevented from taking photos in public…
UK government brochure tells asylum seekers they “could be arrested” if they photograph people in public, even though the Metropolitan Police says otherwise
Recent government pamphlet in the UK contradicts police advice on photography law, leaving many confused. Despite numerous instances of security guards stopping photographers in London, the pamphlet claims that photographing or videoing someone in a public space without permission could result in arrest. This directly conflicts with the Metropolitan Police's own guidance, which states that members of the public and the media are free to film or photograph in public places without needing a permit.
Common sense dictates that taking a photo with a camera phone in a busy city center should not risk arrest. While lawful, the way a photographer interacts with their subjects can impact the outcome, particularly if actions are deemed harassing or linked to unlawful activities. The pamphlet also fails to address how images will be used, noting that commercial exploitation differs from personal or editorial use.
There are still limitations to remember, such as avoiding private premises and not sharing explicit images without consent. The pamphlet's approach is misleading and risks causing unnecessary harassment for photographers.
Written by urgent.news from Digital Camera World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
