Law about using camcorder in public places ?

[jetinder]

Over the last 15 years things where i live have changed and i want to record daily life on one Mini dv tape of one trip etc so in many years time i can look back and see how much my town has changed etc

What are the laws for using camcorder in public places ?

Meaning if i wanted to take video of me shopping at my local Tesco could i do that or would i need permission to do that from the shop manager ?

If i wanted to take video of my local shopping center or take a video of my journey to work including delays on the train etc, could i do that or would i need permission from the Police etc ?

If i wanted to take video of touristy places could i do that or would i need permission from the Police etc ?

[rhubarbe]

You need to be sure that you are clear about the meaning of a public place. Tesco isn't a public place, is it? It's private property into which you are allowed entry during certain hours and for certain purposes. You'd definitely need permission which I expect would be routinely denied. Train carriages are another no-no - they hate being filmed and Transport Police will definitely stop you.

Similarly, a shopping mall is private property, but your local shopping precinct may or may not be. A public park is owned by the council and will have a list of by-laws published somewhere; in the old days this would have been at the park itself but in these more vandalised times that's unlikely, try the Town Hall.

One private pllace you'd be OK is in your garden, or house.

On a beach between high and low water you're OK for sure becasue nobody owns that.

After that I am struggling.

Of course, it's not all as bad as that and I am sure that in many instances a blind eye would be turned.

But it needn't necessarily be.

[rhubarbe]

'Course, I run a Mystery Shopping Agency, so all of our work cams are quite hidden.

dum de dum....

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by jetinder

Over the last 15 years things where i live have changed and i want to record daily life on one Mini dv tape of one trip etc so in many years time i can look back and see how much my town has changed etc

What are the laws for using camcorder in public places ?

Meaning if i wanted to take video of me shopping at my local Tesco could i do that or would i need permission to do that from the shop manager ?

If i wanted to take video of my local shopping center or take a video of my journey to work including delays on the train etc, could i do that or would i need permission from the Police etc ?

If i wanted to take video of touristy places could i do that or would i need permission from the Police etc ?

well in tesco i would ask permission,just filming around shopping centres i would just film as i have had no probs .touristy places boats etc i have had no problems with.i just stay well clear of childrens play areas.all the best chris

[jetinder]

Thanks for all your advise looks like i can't do a documentory on my weekly shop at Tescos ........... doh

Makes you wonder how countless camcorders and cameras are sold each year if you cant film or take pictures in public places etc.

The City of London is changing all the time, 20 years ago Canary Wharf and the Dome didnt exist now they do but there are hardly any photos or movies of what it was like before.

Live Aid, the recent floods or traffic jams, 31 Dec 1999 etc etc it would be nice to keep a record of stuff like this.

4 years my friends took videos of Concorde flying at Heathrow, now she isnt flying those videos to me are pricesless and part of human history, thats the kind of thing i want to record on tape and 35mm film.

I'd like to got Kennedy Space Center and video the shuttle lift off as in 10 years time the shuttle will be replaced by a new rocket.

[rhubarbe]

You're getting hold of the wrong end of the stick. You probably mostly CAN video in a public place. You just need to be careful about what is a public place.

Tesco = No
Heathrow inside perimeter = No
Road outside perimeter = Yes
Oxford Street = Yes
Inside Harvey Nich's = No
In a train carriage = No
On a ROAD bridge over railway track = Yes

And obviously stay away from schools, children's play areas, military or other defence establishments, etc.

[jetinder]

No worries thanks for letting me know, i appreciate your advise and will stick by those rules

At Heathrow no one went inside the paremeter fence area, we all use to stand outside the paremeter fence area near Hatton Cross tube station and take video s and photos from there.

[rhubarbe]

Yes, that's fine. You'd have been on a public road and the aircraft would be cilvilian.

By contrast try that outside a US military base and you'd soon hear, "Just step this way, sir, if you please," in a soft Mid-West burr as you are led away, minus camcorder, to the holding cells.

Just be careful out there.

[jetinder]

Thats understandable as thats down to national security etc, best place to take photos of military planes is at airshows like Southend airshow, biggin hill, farnborough etc.

A few years ago a load of plane spotters went to greece and innocently took video and photos outside a greek airforce base but those guys got arrested and thrown in jail so your right people do have to be very careful

4 years ago we had our school reunion, (were all in our 30s) i hadnt see my iold school friends for 20 years pity i didnt take any video then as we all had a great laugh.

[rhubarbe]

Originally Posted by jetinder

A few years ago a load of plane spotters went to greece and innocently took video and photos outside a greek airforce base but those guys got arrested and thrown in jail so your right people do have to be very careful

You might say "innocent". I couldn't possibly comment.