Hi everyone, just wanted to share a recent experience from this afternoon to raise awareness and help keep people safe while out spotting.

While taking photos of buses, I was followed from Sunderland Road into Gateshead Town Centre by individuals from Shomrim. For clarity, Shomrim are a volunteer security / neighbourhood patrol group who support and look after the Jewish community.

There were four individuals, all communicating with each other (including via mobile phones), who followed me across multiple locations. I attempted on four separate occasions to disengage and asked to be left alone, after briefly explaining I was a transport enthusiast. Despite this, they continued to follow and confront me, eventually surrounding me, which caused alarm and made me feel unsafe.

Police (Northumbria Police) were contacted, attended, and confirmed I was acting within my rights and allowed me to continue my day. They also spoke to the individuals involved separately.

? Key reminders for all spotters:

️ Photography in public is legal
You are well within your rights to photograph buses in public spaces across the UK.

️ You do NOT have to show or delete your photos
Only police have limited powers in certain situations—not volunteer patrol groups or members of the public.

️ You are not required to stop or engage
You can politely refuse and walk away if approached.

️ Keep interactions brief and calm
A simple line like:
“I’m a transport enthusiast taking photos in public”
…is enough. Avoid arguments.

️ Do not be intimidated by numbers or persistence
Even if multiple people approach you, they have no additional powers.

️ Trust your instincts
If something feels off, remove yourself from the situation early.

️ Stay in safe, public areas
Use busy locations, shops, or transport hubs if you feel uncomfortable.

️ Contact police if needed
Call 101 for non-emergencies or 999 if you feel threatened, followed, or unsafe.

️ Log and report incidents
Make a note of times, locations, and descriptions—this helps build a picture if behaviour is repeated.

️ Take seriously if:
You are being followed between locations
You are repeatedly approached after refusing
You are surrounded or feel intimidated

This is NOT normal and should be reported.

Sharing this so others are aware—not to cause concern. Bus spotting is a completely normal hobby, and everyone should feel safe doing it.

Stay safe ?

(8 hours ago)Malarkey wrote Hi everyone, just wanted to share a recent experience from this afternoon to raise awareness and help keep people safe while out spotting.

While taking photos of buses, I was followed from Sunderland Road into Gateshead Town Centre by individuals from Shomrim. For clarity, Shomrim are a volunteer security / neighbourhood patrol group who support and look after the Jewish community.

There were four individuals, all communicating with each other (including via mobile phones), who followed me across multiple locations. I attempted on four separate occasions to disengage and asked to be left alone, after briefly explaining I was a transport enthusiast. Despite this, they continued to follow and confront me, eventually surrounding me, which caused alarm and made me feel unsafe.

Police (Northumbria Police) were contacted, attended, and confirmed I was acting within my rights and allowed me to continue my day. They also spoke to the individuals involved separately.

? Key reminders for all spotters:

️ Photography in public is legal
You are well within your rights to photograph buses in public spaces across the UK.

️ You do NOT have to show or delete your photos
Only police have limited powers in certain situations—not volunteer patrol groups or members of the public.

️ You are not required to stop or engage
You can politely refuse and walk away if approached.

️ Keep interactions brief and calm
A simple line like:
“I’m a transport enthusiast taking photos in public”
…is enough. Avoid arguments.

️ Do not be intimidated by numbers or persistence
Even if multiple people approach you, they have no additional powers.

️ Trust your instincts
If something feels off, remove yourself from the situation early.

️ Stay in safe, public areas
Use busy locations, shops, or transport hubs if you feel uncomfortable.

️ Contact police if needed
Call 101 for non-emergencies or 999 if you feel threatened, followed, or unsafe.

️ Log and report incidents
Make a note of times, locations, and descriptions—this helps build a picture if behaviour is repeated.

️ Take seriously if:
You are being followed between locations
You are repeatedly approached after refusing
You are surrounded or feel intimidated

This is NOT normal and should be reported.

Sharing this so others are aware—not to cause concern. Bus spotting is a completely normal hobby, and everyone should feel safe doing it.

Stay safe ?

Good information, i was at gateshead on friday and didnt have any issues taking photos, but you just never know how people react.

(8 hours ago)Malarkey wrote Hi everyone, just wanted to share a recent experience from this afternoon to raise awareness and help keep people safe while out spotting.

While taking photos of buses, I was followed from Sunderland Road into Gateshead Town Centre by individuals from Shomrim. For clarity, Shomrim are a volunteer security / neighbourhood patrol group who support and look after the Jewish community.

There were four individuals, all communicating with each other (including via mobile phones), who followed me across multiple locations. I attempted on four separate occasions to disengage and asked to be left alone, after briefly explaining I was a transport enthusiast. Despite this, they continued to follow and confront me, eventually surrounding me, which caused alarm and made me feel unsafe.

Police (Northumbria Police) were contacted, attended, and confirmed I was acting within my rights and allowed me to continue my day. They also spoke to the individuals involved separately.

? Key reminders for all spotters:

️ Photography in public is legal
You are well within your rights to photograph buses in public spaces across the UK.

️ You do NOT have to show or delete your photos
Only police have limited powers in certain situations—not volunteer patrol groups or members of the public.

️ You are not required to stop or engage
You can politely refuse and walk away if approached.

️ Keep interactions brief and calm
A simple line like:
“I’m a transport enthusiast taking photos in public”
…is enough. Avoid arguments.

️ Do not be intimidated by numbers or persistence
Even if multiple people approach you, they have no additional powers.

️ Trust your instincts
If something feels off, remove yourself from the situation early.

️ Stay in safe, public areas
Use busy locations, shops, or transport hubs if you feel uncomfortable.

️ Contact police if needed
Call 101 for non-emergencies or 999 if you feel threatened, followed, or unsafe.

️ Log and report incidents
Make a note of times, locations, and descriptions—this helps build a picture if behaviour is repeated.

️ Take seriously if:
You are being followed between locations
You are repeatedly approached after refusing
You are surrounded or feel intimidated

This is NOT normal and should be reported.

Sharing this so others are aware—not to cause concern. Bus spotting is a completely normal hobby, and everyone should feel safe doing it.

Stay safe ?

Good on you for posting this - sensible advice.

I've had weirdos follow me twice (both times in Newcastle) who seem to think stalking and seeking to intimidate someone is totally normal rational behaviour, whereas taking a photo of a bus makes you a risk to the public...

(6 hours ago)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Good on you for posting this - sensible advice.

I've had weirdos follow me twice (both times in Newcastle) who seem to think stalking and seeking to intimidate someone is totally normal rational behaviour, whereas taking a photo of a bus makes you a risk to the public...

In 14 years of Bus Spotting I have had odd randoms spurt abuse at me and I ignore it, let them crack on being idiots but this today was just beyond extreme and completely out of order.

I had no idea I had been followed by them until one of them confronted me inside Jackson Street Post Office, then another followed me into Tesco after first attempts of disengaging with them before they then followed me again and cornered me outside Iceland.

I only went along Sunderland Road off the junction that connects to Durham/Old Durham Road and Gateshead Town Centre as 6398 was on the 850 which is unusual as it's normal the ex Eyms B9's, there were a few Angel Streetdecks on the 27 and 73060 was on the X24 diverting off of Felling Bypass and thought this was a good location to catch all of what I wanted, been to this location my times without any issues and non of my photos had the Jewish School in them.

There main concern was photographing children which I made clear was not the case and that the subject of the photos were the Buses but they were not having any of it which is why I called the Police and the Police agreed with me, hopefully the officers had a good firm word with them but otherwise if you are planning on taking photos in that area of Gateshead be vigilant is all I will say, same applies around Coatsworth Road area of Bensham.

Unless you ask the police that you wish to press charges against them for the harassment and stalking, the police would have done nothing else about it.

I can understand the Jewish community feeling on edge after recent events but this sort of vigilantism is over the top. I’m glad the police were able to take the heat out of the situation.

(6 hours ago)BusLoverMum wrote I can understand the Jewish community feeling on edge after recent events but this sort of vigilantism is over the top. I’m glad the police were able to take the heat out of the situation.

They even went in confrontational mode with the Police when they arrived, two male officers barely got out the car and they were surrounding them. I think they expect the Police in the local area to side with them for everything regardless of whether they're right or wrong in their actions.

I just stood where I was and waited for the officers to approach me as I was on the phone with an officer in the Police Contact Centre the entire time and made it clear I had called them and it was me they needed to speak to first before talking to them which the Jewish Security did not like, they even demanded I give them my phone to speak to the Police which was I was like you have cheek to ask that when you've such a big deal about the situation you've not bothered to call them yourselves. I think ultimately they just wanted to see the photos and for me to delete them.

---

(6 hours ago)cr51xln wrote Unless you ask the police that you wish to press charges against them for the harassment and stalking, the police would have done nothing else about it.

I think for now having a word with them was enough, hopefully they'll learn a lesson that how they acted today was wrong.

(6 hours ago)Malarkey wrote In 14 years of Bus Spotting I have had odd randoms spurt abuse at me and I ignore it, let them crack on being idiots but this today was just beyond extreme and completely out of order.

I had no idea I had been followed by them until one of them confronted me inside Jackson Street Post Office, then another followed me into Tesco after first attempts of disengaging with them before they then followed me again and cornered me outside Iceland.

I only went along Sunderland Road off the junction that connects to Durham/Old Durham Road and Gateshead Town Centre as 6398 was on the 850 which is unusual as it's normal the ex Eyms B9's, there were a few Angel Streetdecks on the 27 and 73060 was on the X24 diverting off of Felling Bypass and thought this was a good location to catch all of what I wanted, been to this location my times without any issues and non of my photos had the Jewish School in them.

There main concern was photographing children which I made clear was not the case and that the subject of the photos were the Buses but they were not having any of it which is why I called the Police and the Police agreed with me, hopefully the officers had a good firm word with them but otherwise if you are planning on taking photos in that area of Gateshead be vigilant is all I will say, same applies around Coatsworth Road area of Bensham.

In fairness, there's a park there if it's where I think it is.

Probably one for your list, stay away from schools, parks, supermarkets, cinemas, beaches and anywhere where there might be children and don't stand outside of bars and nightclubs because drunks are irrational. You're just asking for trouble imo by someone who's insecure but tbf I wouldn't be surprised if it's happened before.

(4 hours ago)Malarkey wrote I think for now having a word with them was enough, hopefully they'll learn a lesson that how they acted today was wrong.

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.

(3 hours ago)Storx wrote In fairness, there's a park there if it's where I think it is.

Probably one for your list, stay away from schools, parks, supermarkets, cinemas, beaches and anywhere where there might be children and don't stand outside of bars and nightclubs because drunks are irrational. You're just asking for trouble imo by someone who's insecure but tbf I wouldn't be surprised if it's happened before.

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.

(3 hours ago)Adrian wrote 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.

Don't disagree but if unless you're making YouTube videos trying to cause confrontations to make money, why cause bother.

There's plenty spots where you can take photos without causing confrontation, sometimes you just have to use common sense and imo none of those places I listed there are doing that. There's loads of younger members around who probably don't think about that who that was more aimed at tbh, some who have probably never dealt with a drunk - in particular. 

Btw that's not targeted at Malarkey. Tbf the park there is quite hidden, might not have known about it (unsure).

(2 hours ago)Storx wrote Don't disagree but if unless you're making YouTube videos trying to cause confrontations to make money, why cause bother.

There's plenty spots where you can take photos without causing confrontation, sometimes you just have to use common sense and imo none of those places I listed there are doing that. There's loads of younger members around who probably don't think about that who that was more aimed at tbh, some who have probably never dealt with a drunk - in particular. 

Btw that's not targeted at Malarkey. Tbf the park there is quite hidden, might not have known about it (unsure).

There's a big difference between someone pursuing a hobby and one of these idiots on YouTube trying to rage bait members of the public into confrontation.

In addition to your list; buses and bus stations tend to have loads of younger members around. Do you just not pursue your hobby because someone might not like it? Like I said in my earlier post, it's about applying common sense. If there's a group of kids standing by the said bus, then I'd personally wait for a better opportunity to take a photo. Or I'd go somewhere with a decent amount of bus traffic (such as near recreational areas), and get my photos there.

Disliking something is not a crime, and we really need to stop treating it as such. I don't like wasps, but to my knowledge, it's not illegal to be a wasp. So I have no choice but to put up with them.

(2 hours ago)Adrian wrote There's a big difference between someone pursuing a hobby and one of these idiots on YouTube trying to rage bait members of the public into confrontation.

In addition to your list; buses and bus stations tend to have loads of younger members around. Do you just not pursue your hobby because someone might not like it? Like I said in my earlier post, it's about applying common sense. If there's a group of kids standing by the said bus, then I'd personally wait for a better opportunity to take a photo. Or I'd go somewhere with a decent amount of bus traffic (such as near recreational areas), and get my photos there.

Disliking something is not a crime, and we really need to stop treating it as such. I don't like wasps, but to my knowledge, it's not illegal to be a wasp. So I have no choice but to put up with them.

To be fair bus stations are private land and the Nexus supervisor will be telling you to move on anyway, unless it's changed recently. 

Like I said I don't disagree but if you're going into places where there's potential for a confrontation then it's not a good place to be. It's not illegal to wear a Newcastle top in Sunderland City Centre but you'd be an idiot to do so.

There's plenty spots around, where there's no issues; Civic Centre towards Great North Road in Newcastle, on the access to the Metrocentre Interchange near where Wilko was or near the Coach Park entrance at the end of the bridge, outside the Regent Centre away from the interchange, Argyle Street outside Park Lane Interchange. To throw some places near the bus stations.

(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.

(2 hours ago)Malarkey wrote 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.

Are you okay, Malarkey? Sorry to hear about what you went through. It's ridiculous.

(2 hours ago)Malarkey wrote 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.

Yeah, not the place I thought; got confused when you said Sunderland Road (in green);



Thought you were on the corner there with the orange dot, getting buses along the bus gate (which I just remember now is shut). The pink dot is the park so could see why it be a bit dodgy there.

Don't see the issue where you were tbh; just some jumped up idiots. Hope you're alright.

(2 hours ago)Storx wrote To be fair bus stations are private land and the Nexus supervisor will be telling you to move on anyway, unless it's changed recently. 

Like I said I don't disagree but if you're going into places where there's potential for a confrontation then it's not a good place to be. It's not illegal to wear a Newcastle top in Sunderland City Centre but you'd be an idiot to do so.

There's plenty spots around, where there's no issues; Civic Centre towards Great North Road in Newcastle, on the access to the Metrocentre Interchange near where Wilko was or near the Coach Park entrance at the end of the bridge, outside the Regent Centre away from the interchange, Argyle Street outside Park Lane Interchange. To throw some places near the bus stations.

Most land is private land, in that it is owned by someone. Whether that be a private individual, a business, a Council, or a public body. A piece of land can be private and a public place - and there's no legislation to prevent photography in such place.

This has come up before over the years, but to recap: Section 33 of the Criminal Justice Act 1972, to my knowledge, best defines a public place: "Public place” includes any highway and any other premises or place to which at the material time the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise". So your example of a bus station, whilst being private land, is quite clearly a public place during the hours in which it's open. The Nexus supervisor, as an agent of the landowner, can civilly ask you to leave, but they can't do much more beyond that. Application of reasonable force in a civil matter is so much of a grey area, that I doubt they'd bother going down that route.

I should also add that to date, Nexus have never produced signage to prohibit photography. Their policy on their website is an ask, not a requirement. The specific wording in their policy is important: "Any person found taking photographs or filming on Nexus premises will be challenged by one of our team if that have concerns about safety or security. Nexus employees can use their judgement should they need to stop any filming or photography that could impact others safety and security. Please kindly comply with their requests."

In other words, they can ask, and they kindly ask you to adhere to the ask. None of this is qualified legal advice, but my personal opinion is that they'd have real difficulty enforcing that beyond being a civil trespass matter. Common sense would say stick to safe areas and don't put yourself or others at risk.

(2 hours ago)Storx wrote Yeah, not the place I thought; got confused when you said Sunderland Road (in green);



Thought you were on the corner there with the orange dot, getting buses along the bus gate (which I just remember now is shut). The pink dot is the park so could see why it be a bit dodgy there.

Don't see the issue where you were tbh; just some jumped up idiots. Hope you're alright.

Taking photos of buses anywhere should not be an issue. It's not a crime. Anyone can take photos of anything, or indeed anyone, they can see from public land. Obviously use common sense, I'm not saying to go out taking photos of everything and everyone, but it's not a crime. Just obviously might result in confrontation (and sometimes justified, of course).

(1 hour ago)Adrian wrote Most land is private land, in that it is owned by someone. Whether that be a private individual, a business, a Council, or a public body. A piece of land can be private and a public place - and there's no legislation to prevent photography in such place.

This has come up before over the years, but to recap: Section 33 of the Criminal Justice Act 1972, to my knowledge, best defines a public place: "Public place” includes any highway and any other premises or place to which at the material time the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise". So your example of a bus station, whilst being private land, is quite clearly a public place during the hours in which it's open. The Nexus supervisor, as an agent of the landowner, can civilly ask you to leave, but they can't do much more beyond that. Application of reasonable force in a civil matter is so much of a grey area, that I doubt they'd bother going down that route.

I should also add that to date, Nexus have never produced signage to prohibit photography. Their policy on their website is an ask, not a requirement. The specific wording in their policy is important: "Any person found taking photographs or filming on Nexus premises will be challenged by one of our team if that have concerns about safety or security. Nexus employees can use their judgement should they need to stop any filming or photography that could impact others safety and security. Please kindly comply with their requests."

In other words, they can ask, and they kindly ask you to adhere to the ask. None of this is qualified legal advice, but my personal opinion is that they'd have real difficulty enforcing that beyond being a civil trespass matter. Common sense would say stick to safe areas and don't put yourself or others at risk.

Ah, that's changed from Nexus.

https://web.archive.org/web/202410160814...hotography - Just had a look, it never used to have any of that. It was a blanket no to anything but family photos and selfies.

Hold my hands up on that one and it was a stupid rule anyway, tbh. No arguments on the rest, I'd agree legally. Tbh I don't think it's illegal to take photos on private (non public) land, they just have the right to ask you to leave (civil trespass), it's how Urban Explorers can do what they do, as long as you don't break privacy laws.