Taking Pictures Of A Suspected Criminal

[hollie1586]

Would it be an offence on my part to take a picture of somebody on my land who I suspect is taking part in criminal activity, and give the pic to the police? I know there are rights to privacy laws but how far do they go?

[shoota]

On what basis are they on your land?

[chrissa1]

He is hardly about to sue you if you did, hollie.
What about all the programmes that film, Police Action. Traffic Cops, Motorway Cops, etc.

[hollie1586]

Shoota - they park right right outside my house. Sounds a bit stupid I know but this is very unusual. Over the last couple of weeks it has been happening. Same driver, sometimes on his own then sometimes has a passenger with him.

Chrissa- is it not one rule for police and another for us public? i dont want to be getting myself in trouble.

I am suspecting that there is something going on with drugs. I will be reporting.

[grasscarp]

They are on your land. How could they be offended?

[shoota]

If they are on your land on a casual basis (as opposed to having rented it say) or as trespassers then snap away.
You are doing nothing more than a static surveillance camera would be doing quite legitimately.

[jno]

it's your land, take all the pictures on it you want.

[grasscarp]

You hadnt typed the next bit when I posted Hollie. I thought you said they were on your land but now you say they are parked in the street. Report them and the reg of the car by all means if you are not happy but I wouldnt go out there with a camera if I were you.

[Tilly2]

You could make a note of the number plate and make of car and ringyour localpolice stationand talk to them.

[jno]

you can take picutres in public places too.

[shoota]

If they are in a public place then they can be photographed quite lawfully as long as the photography does not become a course of action that constitutes harassment.
Police surveillance photographers do have somewhat broader powers.

[TWR]

Make sure your intentions are not known Hollie, otherwise you may get repercussions.

[grasscarp]

I just dont understand why a person parked in a car, with or without a passenger, be suspected of criminal activity. They could be distributing Betterware catalogues!

[shoota]

This is useful reading but doesn't cover the situation if they are on your private land. I believe that you may photograph what you like on your own land.
http://www.photographymonthly.com/Magazine/Magazine-Subscription-Offers/Street-Photography-Peter-Jenkins

[Sparkles62]

Hollie, if they are drug dealers, I wouldn't take any photos in case they see you, but you could ring 101, the police non emergency no, and give them the car reg and locacation and explain that you think that they are dealing drugs, then sit back and leave it to them.

[snags]

''They could be distributing Betterware catalogues!''

Which should be a crime...

[Canary42]

LOL at snags

[chrisgel]

Some years ago I reported a car in similar circumstances. Parked outside my house with same 2 men in it all day.
Turns out it was the police watching the comings and goings from a flat 2 doors along.

[maggiebee]

Was at a meeting one night - chairperson had noticed that a car was parked for some time before the meeting and was still there when the meeting ended. This was not in a residential area. She went up to the car and asked if they were looking for something. Turned out to be plain clothed cops watching out for prostitutes and kerb crawlers who apparently operated in that area at night.