Law on filming or taking photographs on Police premises

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.023971

I note you seek access to the following information:

Dear Metropolitan Police Service (MPS),

Constable .. clearly states you are not allowed to film a police station.

Which law is Constable using in regard to controlling photographers?

PC AS states at 1:10 into the video that you can film but states there is legislation that prevents photographers from filming a police station.

Can you please supply the information that PC AS is referring too.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

It is not an offence to film a Police station, if spotted, Police officers can approach and ask questions as to what the individual is doing and why. If the officer suspects possible Terrorism Offences then the power to search, seize could come into effect.
If an individual wants to film outside one of our stations, or film the building itself then we ask them to make contact with us so we can ask questions as to what the project is and how we would manage it.

There is also the issue of Intellectual Property Rights, filming MPS logos, trademarks that, legitimate filming productions have to apply and pay a fee if approved.

There are situations where people turn up at Police stations, videoing, taking photos and wanting a reaction from the Police. The officers obviously have a right to question such activity but if the investigating officer(s) are satisfied that there are no apparent offences and a threat to security then there is no law being broken.

As stated if someone does want to film one of our buildings then we would ask:

1. Project name
2. Date
3. Times
4. Location
5. What the project is about
6. Crew size

If we were happy then we would contact the local station, borough so they are aware beforehand.

We would allow the filming with conditions:

1. No filming of Police Officers
2. No filming of MPS Trademarks logos if no approval
3. No blocking of the front entrance, side entrances
4. No filming inside the front office
5. Police/public have right of way
6. Police can stop the filming for an operational need.

This guidance is for people who wish to engage with us to prevent unnecessary confrontation, suspicion, threat to staff, building security.