Are you allowed to film in public? Man arrested after women harassed in Manchester

A man has been arrested in connection with an investigation into the filming of women (Alamy/PA)
A man has been arrested in connection with an investigation into the filming of women (Alamy/PA)

A man has been arrested on suspicion of stalking and harassment during a police investigation linked to the filming of women on nights out.

The 27-year-old suspect from Bradford is being questioned over a series of viral videos following reports of women being filmed and harassed in Manchester City Centre.

Officers said they had uncovered video content that was behind a paywall that featured upskirting and non-consensual nude content.

It’s thought to be the first arrest of its kind in the country connected to social media videos of women being filmed.

Chief Inspector Stephen Wiggins reassured the public that the police were taking the incident very seriously, and encouraged others to come forward.

“We took the concerns of the public really seriously on this issue, and have worked hard with partners to assess the full circumstances and what courses of action were available to us. It is a very new and complex issue but this is a significant development,” he said.

Mr Wiggins added: “Everyone has the right to feel safe as they enjoy a night out and these videos have made people, particularly women, not feel like that, which we can’t tolerate.”

The spokesperson added that filming in public is legal, but it’s a different story when it’s linked to an offence like upskirting or stalking.

“Filming in public is legal, however where this filming crosses the line into offences such as upskirting, stalking or harassment, it’s important that we don’t allow that behaviour,” he said.

People who feel that they have been impacted by such content are advised to contact police on 101.

So, what exactly are the rules surrounding public filming? Here’s a breakdown of your rights.

In certain instances, filming people could be a criminal offence (PA) (PA Archive)
In certain instances, filming people could be a criminal offence (PA) (PA Archive)

Are you allowed to film in public?

In the UK, it is generally not illegal to film people in public, even without their consent.

The Metropolitan Police also confirm this on their website:Members of the public and the media do not need a permit to film or photograph in public places, and police have no power to stop them filming or photographing incidents or police personnel.”

But there are some instances when it would be considered a crime.

If the filming is linked to criminal activity or terrorism, it could be deemed illegal. Filming people in places they consider private could also breach privacy laws.

It’s also important to recognise that you may need permission to capture content in private properties, such as churches, museums, and shopping centres.

There could be legal implications to filming people, too.

According to LawHive, if a person records another intending to harass, intimidate or stalk them, they’d be breaking the law.

What’s more, if there is a reasonable expectation of privacy people may also be breaking the law if they then share this content online.

What to do if someone films you without consent?

How you react to this situation depends on where you are and what content was captured. If filming occurs in a public space and isn’t linked to any nefarious activity, then you may not have much legal power to prevent it.

You could request to see the content or receive a copy of what was captured, but the photographer or videographer may not be obligated to do so.

If you suspect that footage captured of you may be used maliciously, like for stalking or harassment, then contact the police.

People are entitled to a certain degree of privacy away from a public space, so anything filmed without their consent could be considered a crime.

Even if the footage was filmed with your consent, sharing it in public, such as on social media, may be considered a breach of privacy.

If a person threatens to, or has already shared, explicit images or videos of you online, then this is a criminal offence and should be immediately reported.

Should you suspect that someone has filmed you in ways that may not be lawful, then reach out to the police as soon as you can.

If you’re concerned your life may be in immediate danger, then call 999. Otherwise, you also have the option of speaking to the police on the non-emergency line: 101.

Those concerned that they may have been filmed on nights out without their consent should also contact the authorities and report the incident.