Taking photos of kids committing crimes
Discussion
This question has arisen on our local estate facebook group, after advice from a PCSO.
The PCSO said that it was illegal to take photos of children committing a crime and put them on facebook. He said the only thing you could do with the photo was give it to the police.
Initially I though it was just b***ks, but now it has me wondering...
I know there nothing wrong (legally) with taking photos of kids in public (barring indecency/harassment), but what about the posting on FB bit - does that contravene anything? I'm wondering where children can't be identified in the newspaper - or is this only with a court order?
Honest question - IANAL, obviously...
The PCSO said that it was illegal to take photos of children committing a crime and put them on facebook. He said the only thing you could do with the photo was give it to the police.
Initially I though it was just b***ks, but now it has me wondering...
I know there nothing wrong (legally) with taking photos of kids in public (barring indecency/harassment), but what about the posting on FB bit - does that contravene anything? I'm wondering where children can't be identified in the newspaper - or is this only with a court order?
Honest question - IANAL, obviously...
The police probably get asked this every day on 999 by the constant stream of numpties, and so it seems they have a knowledge base for such things:
https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q697.htm
https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q697.htm
If you put a picture up of a kid saying that they are committing a crime I'd have thought you could be opening yourself up to libel and if you don't say that they're committing a crime your grainy pic will probably get you labelled a nonce.
In any case while it may not be illegal it's probably not a great idea and the police don't want to have to deal with an escalated situation that is unlikely to yield any positive result.
Just hand any evidence you have to the police rather then try and be judge, jury and executioner.
In any case while it may not be illegal it's probably not a great idea and the police don't want to have to deal with an escalated situation that is unlikely to yield any positive result.
Just hand any evidence you have to the police rather then try and be judge, jury and executioner.
Edited by rpguk on Wednesday 16th September 21:26
rpguk said:
If you put a picture up of a kid saying that they are committing a crime I'd have thought you could be opening yourself up to libel and if you don't say that they're committing a crime your grainy pic will probably get called a nonce.
In any case while it may not be illegal it's probably not a great idea and the police don't want to have to deal with an escalated situation that is unlikely to yield any positive result.
Just hand any evidence you have to the police rather then try and be judge, jury and executioner.
This. Still photographs are always subject to context and interpretation as well. However, if (for example) you have video footage of (say) someone vandalising your car, putting it on Facebook etc. is not going to land you in trouble. You're still better off just giving it to the police, though.In any case while it may not be illegal it's probably not a great idea and the police don't want to have to deal with an escalated situation that is unlikely to yield any positive result.
Just hand any evidence you have to the police rather then try and be judge, jury and executioner.
TurricanII said:
The police probably get asked this every day on 999 by the constant stream of numpties, and so it seems they have a knowledge base for such things:
https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q697.htm
I'd not recommend this site for anything important. They have a very blinkered view of the law as they pronounce something ok that is an offence the other side of the channel and refuse to give any clue this is the case. Plus they are slow to update when the law changes. https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q697.htm
Motorrad said:
La Liga said:
part from all the experienced police officers, solicitors and barristers who post on this forum.
Problem is unless you spend your life in here it's difficult to sort the wheat from the chaff.Again I'd say that relying on a correct answer for legal matters is madness.
Of course, this is a forum and for serious things people should of course get their own legal advice. However, as a sounding block this forum is superb.
I studied Law as part of my degree, and a couple of niches in more depth than a newly qualified solicitor will do, however, I've still sometimes put my queries up here, as often different legal professionals will give different perspectives, and I've always been thankful.
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