(30 Jun 2014, 5:42 pm)Dan wrote I've never had an issue with photographing Metros.
I've taken photographs in front of Nexus staff before, and they seemingly haven't cared.
The photo I took at South Gosforth was taken whilst about three Metro staff were standing there next to me. I got on the next Metro and moved on.
It's a bit like the bus stations. Sometimes they're bothered, and other times they seemly aren't. There's no consistency.

Adam,
Your best places to stand, where there's no chance of you getting lifted are Heworth (Rail Platform) and Sunderland. There's also safe standing areas (off Metro/Nexus property) at Ilford Road, Fawdon Crossing, Kingston Park, Bank Foot Crossing, Callerton Park Way crossing, and the Airport.
I'd say if you'd be able to get away with playing dumb to them, as long as you try and avoid them in the first place. Don't stand at the same station taking photo after photo. Simply take one shot and jump onto the next train somewhere else, and also try and leave the system and come back on yourself. Stops them tracking you on the CCTV network.