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Legal matters

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Original poster

Woman filming me dripping my kids at school

69 replies

helloitsme · 04/06/2015 22:07

Basically, I park in a residential road when I drop my kids to school and there's a resident who doesn't like it. I try to avoid it as much as I can, but sometimes there are no spaces elsewhere. So, there's a woman who photographs or films me and my kids when we do it and I find don't like it. The road is a public road and I have checked with the council that I am not trespassing, and before you say it, I live more than two miles from the school with no public transport, so no options but to drive. Are there any grounds that what she is doing is against the law?

OP posts:

WinterOfOurDiscountTents15 · 04/06/2015 22:14

No. It's legal for one private individual to photograph or film another private individual in a public place if they wish to do.

Moln · 04/06/2015 22:18

You're parking in a spot that's an acceptable parking spot ie you're not blocking her drive or double parking etc?

There's nothing you can do about her taking a picture, it's there's no law against taking a picture of someone without their permission on public grounds, but if you're not doing anything wrong there's not a whole lot she can do with it is there!

AyMamita · 04/06/2015 22:19

Put Halloween masks on your DCs for the school run and take pictures of her taking pictures of you until she stops.

Kahlua4me · 04/06/2015 22:21

Have you asked her why she is taking photos of you?

Does anyone else park there, and do they have their photos taken?

Original poster

helloitsme · 04/06/2015 22:29

Nice of all of you not to comment on my DRIPPING my kids...
anyway, thanks. Love the idea of kids in halloween masks , but I think I can't photograph her as she is standing on her own driveway which is obviously private property...
...also, one of the pavements is actually owned by the residents, and I think she has caught DS stepping on that for a second once. Is that actually illegal - DS stepping on a privately owned pavement?

And yes, I park very considerately and very safely.

OP posts:

Original poster

helloitsme · 04/06/2015 22:31

Kahlua, I have not asked her as I would like to avoid a confrontation in front of my kids. Most people don't park there since everyone is a bit intimidated. I actually avoid it mostly too, but I choose it in preference to other spots on the main road which are far more inconsiderate and potentially dangerous. I have no idea whether she films the few others who do park there.

OP posts:

bellybuttonfluffy · 04/06/2015 22:37

After dropping off the kids I would be tempted to ask her. Go and knock on her door if you have to. You need to know what her deal is. I would either address it or find somewhere else to park.

WinterOfOurDiscountTents15 · 04/06/2015 22:38

It's not illegal for him to use the pavement, no.

With regard to you filming her if you wanted....its about reasonable expectation of privacy iirc, which she could argue she can expect on her own doorstep, but you can equally argue that she's lost her expectation via the act of filming you.
It's all a moot point though unless one of you wanted to take a civil case against the other, there are no criminal charges that could be used either way.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 04/06/2015 22:45

I find it wierd that a total stranger can repeatedly film someone else's children and there is no comeback. What if it was a paedophile? Surely it needs questioning?

oP, I don't blame you either and I would be tempted to knock on her door and tel her to kindly stop filming your children otherwise people will start getting ideas about her and possibly report her to the police.

Original poster

helloitsme · 04/06/2015 23:00

In the past they have put laminated notes on people's windscreens saying that we are 'being monitored', so I guess I think I know that if I knock on her door, she will simply say that she doesn't want me to park there and she is monitoring the situation. I can't see how the conversation will end well.

Very relieved to hear that it's not illegal for him to use the privately owned pavement. I usually end up doing contortions to avoid standing on it. You'd all laugh if you saw me!
Thanks all for the advice

OP posts:

WinterOfOurDiscountTents15 · 04/06/2015 23:05

I find it wierd that a total stranger can repeatedly film someone else's children and there is no comeback. What if it was a paedophile? Surely it needs questioning?

It's not illegal at all. Who would question them and what for? Paedophiles don't generally want photos of fully clothed children on a street, and if they do they legally can take them. It's the other photos we need to be concerned about....

OP, its just one of those things in life that you can't do anything about. But take heart that there is nothing she can do either, film or no film. It's a bit weird and irritating but best to ignore it and hope she gets bored of it.

Original poster

helloitsme · 04/06/2015 23:11

Thanks Winter. Yes, it's greatly relieving that there's nothing she can do either. I actually feel a bit sorry for her, it can't be a pleasant way for her to spend her time, and this is why I genuinely try to avoid parking there most of the time just because there's no need to upset her. But the safety thing seems important, so if there are no other spaces which I consider to be safe, I just do it anyway.

OP posts:

CloserToFiftyThanTwenty · 04/06/2015 23:14

Get t shirts printed with "why are you filming me?" on?

Have you spoken to the school about it, in case they are already in conversation with the neighbours about parking issues?

FujimotosElixir · 04/06/2015 23:15

i really wouldn't be accepting of video's of my children being taken, you dont know where shes putting those images. I would take a pic of her next time she does it and then name and shame somewhere nice and public like fb,this person obviously limes intimidation give her a taste of her own...

spillyobeans · 04/06/2015 23:15

Could what shes doing not be classed as stalking though?

scrappydappydoo · 04/06/2015 23:17

Could you speak to the school? If this is an ongoing issue they may be in conversation with her and could bring it up on your behalf?

scrappydappydoo · 04/06/2015 23:18

Cross post with closer

WinterOfOurDiscountTents15 · 04/06/2015 23:19

Not stalking if OP is coming to her, as it were. Ms Spielberg isn't seeking her out or following her or any of the elements of stalking, she's merely filming from her own driveway.

Well then you're getting yourself in a much greyer area. She's not breaking the law, however if you were to publish her photo, name and other things online your could be in trouble for that, depending on how you went about it.

spillyobeans · 04/06/2015 23:19

Could you either 1) talk to her in a nice way that highlights you have asked council and are sorry but you have no other option. ( although she might be a real weirdo so god knows what reaction you may get!)

Or 2) even though would be more of a hassle - find somewhere else to park even if it means walking a bit as at least you wont have this hanging over you making you feel like its just not 'right'.

Original poster

helloitsme · 04/06/2015 23:20

Ha ha Closer :-) love it! I have talked to the school, they said this issue has been rumbling on for ages, but there's no reason at all not to park there and just to go ahead so long as I park responsibly and safely, which I always do.

Spilly, that sort of angle is why I started the thread, you know, if it's done with the intention of intimidation or something, but I guess the law is the law...

OP posts:

BerylStreep · 04/06/2015 23:22

This sounds like stalking to me.

This is a useful link

It talks about monitoring, watching and spying.

I would report it to the police. It might not go anywhere, but she will at least feel the discomfort at having to explain her actions to the police.

WinterOfOurDiscountTents15 · 04/06/2015 23:23

If you feel intimidated or harrassed you could make a complaint to the local police. However if she is on her own property while filming, hasn't singled you out (you say she does it to anyone, I think? apols if wrong) and doesn't talk to you or confront you, I can't see that you would have grounds, to be honest. Sorry.

Original poster

helloitsme · 04/06/2015 23:25

I am just not the type to go publishing photos of her, I think it could all end up really nasty and I don't want to escalate things more than they are now.
Spilly, you are right that if I was early every day, I could park somewhere else and I do try to do that, but since I do the school run basically ten times a week, I'm likely to be not early enough maybe one time in ten, especially since one of my kids is not at school yet and I can get unexpectedly delayed by a nappy incident or similar. Also, I often get caught out when it rains because then lots of other parents drive who don't usually, and it's very difficult to find a space then. Also, for the record, this spot is probably the most considerate and safe in the whole area. All other places block other local residents more.

OP posts:

SilverBirch2015 · 04/06/2015 23:26

I can understand how disconcerting it is for you.

However in the same way you parking there is not illegal, but is causing her annoyance, the filming is not illegal, but causes you annoyance.

Quid pro quo.

WinterOfOurDiscountTents15 · 04/06/2015 23:27

I really think calling it stalking is insulting to anyone who has ever been stalked. Even the word implies a basic definition of pursuit. This is not stalking, herself doesn't know OP and doesn't leave her own property, all she does is hold up a recording device. Lets not be silly about it.

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