Take action to prevent or curtail photography only if you believe that an individual or group’s behaviour is suspicious.
Safer City Partnership
PHOTOGRAPHY ISSUES The issue of what can and cannot be photographed within the City of London, and whether the police, business owners or security personnel can take action against individuals taking photographs, has been a source of controversy during the last few years. How can we as businesses help to keep the City secure while enabling the ordinary visitor to record its attractions without hassle or objection?
It is certainly unfortunate that, in these days of heightened security, even innocent tourists can raise suspicion as they photograph City landmarks. However, experience tells us that those wishing to disrupt business, cause criminal damage or mount terrorist attacks often embark on reconnaissance missions involving photography. Therefore, the police and security officers will legitimately question people who are taking photographs and would ask that the public understand the need for this.
Arising out of the Home Secretary’s review of counter terrorism and security powers in 2010, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has developed some straightforward guidance on this matter which can be summarised as follows:
• Security personnel do not have the right to prevent individuals in a public place from photographing or filming a private building.
• If an individual is on private property, he or she may not take photographs if it is expressly prohibited or requires a permit, and a security guard may inform them of this and use reasonable force if the individual refuses to stop.
• If a security person believes that an individual is behaving in a suspicious manner, he or she should report the matter to the police.
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