illegal photo shots

[ab010486]

can a stranger take photos of your privately owned property?

[bednobs]

yes, as lond as they are standing in a public place when they do so, and not on your property

[Buenchico]

As Bednobs states, it's perfectly legal to photograph who you like and what you like as long as you're taking the photographs while in a public place or on your own property (or property where the owner has given you permission to take photographs from). There are, of course, a few exceptions, which are covered by legislation as diverse as the Official Secrets Act and the Sexual Offences Act but, in general, my first sentence holds true.

Even if I took photographs of you, or your property, from a position which didn't meet the above criteria, it wouldn't be a criminal offence. It would be a civil matter and, in practice, you'd only be able to sue me for compensation if I sought to profit from the photographs. So, I could walk into your garden and take photographs of you and your property and there's probably very little you could do about it. (Trespass, per se, is not a criminal offence and neither, a far as criminal law is concerned, is taking the photographs).

Chris

[bednobs]

thanks chris, i knew someone would be along to explain it better than me