Photographs - legal

MarkM88

There’s a neighbour, he’s doing some stupid things like, I’m sure he’s buying drugs from people outside on the street and dumping rubbish on the road where he parks. Unfortunately I don’t know him or know which flat he lives in. Would it be legal for me to snap a few pictures of him on my phone to then use to help identify him if I chose to report him or wouod that be against privacy laws? 

janer1967

I'm not sure on that one mark you could take pics of car reg and litter 

I think it's OK as long as your not sharing the pics to anyone else but I would get more advice first 

rubin16

Hi,

You can legally take any photographs from your own property or on public property, you just can't take photo's or videos from private property unless you have permission to do so. Its just the same as setting CCTV on your property, you can legally record anything you want and can report people / gain evidence. You don't need their permission to do this, however this can cause tensions between neighbours.

MarkM88

Thanks. I was fed up yesterday as he had come out and dumped three bags of rubbish on the road outside, jumped in car and shot off. I don’t even know what flat number he lives in because I never see him come out so don’t know who it is. I might just have to report it and give a description. If I can get rid of my rubbish responsibly I expect others to do so too. 

Lisatho11987777

If you think drugs are involved you are allowed but you would have to take it to the police straight away so that they can get the image off your phone then delete it but be careful if it is drugs and your seen takeing photos could bring trouble to your door 

MarkM88

In the end I decided to report my concerns to the housing officer through email. 

Ross_Alumni

Thanks for the update @MarkN88,. hopefully they are able to get back to you about your concerns.