Is It Legal to Hire a Private Investigator to Follow Someone in the

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In the UK, hiring a private investigator (PI) to follow someone is not inherently illegal, but it must be done in compliance with the law. There are several legal considerations to keep in mind when hiring a PI for surveillance purposes, especially if the surveillance involves
tracking someone’s movements or activities. Here’s a breakdown of the key legal aspects:

Privacy and Data Protection Laws

The UK’s privacy laws, particularly under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Human
Rights Act 1998, protect individuals from invasions of privacy. Surveillance that involves
monitoring someone’s activities, conversations, or personal information without their
knowledge or consent could potentially violate their right to privacy.

However, following someone in public spaces (where they do not have a reasonable
expectation of privacy) generally does not violate privacy laws. National Private
Investigators know where the line is. For example, observing someone in a public place,
such as a street or park, may be legal, but covertly tracking them using GPS or hidden
cameras without their knowledge can cross legal boundaries.

Consent and Legality of Surveillance Methods

When hiring a PI, it’s important to ensure that they use legal methods of surveillance. For
example:
GPS Tracking: Using a GPS device to track someone’s car without their consent could be
illegal in certain situations. The law requires that the tracker is not used in a way that
infringes on the individual’s privacy rights. It’s crucial to only use GPS tracking if it is legal
and the PI understands the constraints around its use.
Mobile Phone Surveillance: Monitoring someone’s phone, email, or social media accounts
without their permission is illegal and a breach of privacy. This would be a violation of the
Computer Misuse Act 1990 and the Data Protection Act. However, PIs can legally gather
publicly available information, such as observing a person’s social media profiles if they are open to the public.
Cameras and Drones: Surveillance cameras or drones used in private spaces without
consent (e.g., in someone’s home) could violate privacy laws. Using drones in public spaces is generally allowed, but only if they are operated in accordance with aviation laws and local regulations.

Harassment and Anti-Social Behaviour

Under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, following or monitoring someone in a way
that causes them distress, alarm, or harm could be considered harassment. If surveillance
becomes excessive, intrusive, or malicious, it could lead to criminal charges, both for the
investigator and the person hiring them. It’s crucial that any surveillance is conducted
proportionally and in line with reasonable cause.

Signs You Have Found the Best Private Investigator

Qualified and Trained

You don’t want to be hiring somebody that’s claiming they’re a PI. You’re looking for trained experts who understand what they’re doing. So, the first thing you need to look for is private investigators who share their qualifications and training. This allows you to assess what they’re like as professionals.

A Free Consultation

You want to ensure that you’re hiring the right professional for the job. You want to know
more about their experience and be able to discuss your concerns to make sure they can
help you. This is what a consultation is for. The best private investigators ensure that this
meeting is free so that you can gain the information you need. This can include a quote for their services, which allows you to gain a better picture of their services before hiring them.

Available Case Studies

One of the ways you can trust a private investigator is by knowing they have the experience to help you. In other words, they’ve worked with various clients before and know what they’re doing. Indeed, these experts will make sure that they have available case studies you can read. This will outline what the needs were, what strategies they used and what they were able to achieve.

Offers a Clear Quote

Something that you always want to have before choosing a professional is a quote for their services. This needs to outline exactly what you’ll be paying by the end of the job.
Professionals are upfront and honest about their pricing since they know their services are
worth it. There will be no extras or additional fees added later on that you weren’t
expecting.

Conclusion

Hiring a private investigator to follow someone is legal in the UK as long as it is done lawfully and ethically. The PI must operate within the legal framework, ensuring they don’t violate privacy laws or engage in harassment. If you’re considering hiring a PI, it’s essential to choose a licensed professional who understands the legal boundaries surrounding
surveillance to avoid any legal complications.