Police have been told to clarify the legality of photographing protesters and holding these images on a database.

The ‘recommendation’ is contained in a report on policing protests, published today by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Denis O’Connor.

O’Connor called for ‘clarification of the legal framework for the use of overt photography by police during public order operations and the collation and retention of photographic images by police forces and other policing bodies’.