(3 hours ago)Adrian wrote Sorry to hear that this happened, and indeed, sound advice.

I'd make a mental note of the date, then if you do have similar again, the Police will be able to locate the incident report if you decide to pursue another incident further.


It's this kind of statement that gives people the irrational belief that photography is some sort of crime.

Whilst yes, photographing outside of a school, a venue specifically for children, is very likely going to end up in conflict, it's ridiculous to suggest a whole list of places you shouldn't photograph at, just in case there's kids there or people who otherwise don't like photography. If people can walk down a street with hundreds of cameras, yet only take offence at the one guy standing there pursuing a hobby in photographing buses, that sounds like their problem, not the photographers.

As most photographers will tell you; shoot with the application of common sense. Knowing Malarkey, he'll have done just that. Not only has he tried to de-escalate the situation (which is more than he's required to do), but he was wise to report the actual offence of being harassed.

Thought it was best to share as I wouldn't want anyone being subjected to what I was today, it's shaken me up a bit but I am not going to let that deter me from enjoying my hobby. 

The yellow is where the School is at Bede House, the Red is where I was taking photos from and have done several times in the past as have other spotters in the local area, I was aware of the School being there and ensured when taking photos my camera was not pointing in the direction of it and more down towards Aldi/Chad House and I had zoomed in an appropriate amount to ensure focus of my photos were on the Buses. Police had no issues with the photos I had taken after asking to view them on my camera. 

The park area I think Storx is referencing is a skate park under the Gateshead Flyover and Argyle Estate Park which is across the road from Aldi. The grassed area next to Bede House is a public pathway however I think the kids use this as there School Field however this was not the case today and the kids were put straight onto the Buses provided by Go North East.

I did think it was also odd that I'd been photographing there for half hour or so and was not confronted but then they followed me into Gateshead Town Centre so I felt straight away that this crossed a threshold for harassment, honestly thought they'd took the hint after the confrontation at Jackson Street Post Office and I had went off into Tesco as I couldn't see them when I had looked back down pathed area by Sambuca, clearly had circuited around and got more bodies in the area to track me down which isn't normal or rational behaviour especially in a public place, it was very tactical and while they stressed they did not want cause alarm and distress or to intimidate me that was exactly what did happen when 4 of them stand within a foot or two of you with nowhere to go.