Know Your Rights as a Photographer!
I think this is not only especially true for UK citizens but also American ones as well. Please watch this video:
[link]From the video description:
"Photographers Rights And The Law In The UK - A brief guide for street photographers.
Know your rights when you're out with your camera.
Despite the law being clear on a citizen's rights to freely take pictures in public places (with a few restrictions) there is growing evidence of the police, police community support officers (PCSOs), security guards and general jobsworths failing to respect the rights of photographers going about their lawful business.
Street shots
If you're on a public right of way - such as a public pavement, footpath or public highway - you're free to take photographs for personal and commercial use so long as you're not causing an obstruction to other users or falling foul of anti-Terrorism laws or even the Official Secrets Act (frankly, this one is unlikely).
Property owners have no right to stop people taking photos of their buildings, so long as the photographer is standing in a public place (e.g. the road outside).
However, if you're standing on private property and the landowner/occupier objects, then they have every right to request that you stop immediately and ask you to leave if you refuse.
Shopping Centres
Most shopping centres and malls stand on private land with many gaining a notorious reputation for speedily dispatching stroppy security guards demanding that you stop taking photos.
The irony that they're already busy filming you from every angle via a flotilla of CCTV cameras is generally lost on them.
Deleting images
Security guards do not have stop and search powers or the right to seize your equipment or delete images or confiscate film under any circumstances."<div align="center>
Background Image & CSS by ~
Phritz
`anmari has been spreading her infectious positivity throughout our community for over 6 years. Throughout this time Ana has been at the core of all things devious, passionately developing an eclectic gallery, helping organise devmeets, participating in chat events and also recently completed dedicating her time as a Community Volunteer. We are absolutely delighted to bestow the Deviousness Award for May 2013 to `anmari, congratulations! Read More
Sta.sh
Fave this journal (it will be your number)
Watch me IF you like my art~ ;v;
.......... The design MUST HAVE ONLY 2 COLORS; BLACK AND WHITE
.
Passionate 
Ive actually been jumped on by doormen at a club before and man handled out the door just becuase i had my slr with me and was taking shots of the dance floor.
stupid as everyone at clubs has small compact cameras but when ever anyone see's an slr they think your press or something stupid lol.
Although I do have my 35mm slr's but it's just been so long since ive been out there taking photographs.
anyway back to street photography, yeah I've missed some 'once in a lifetime' shots as in that split second where I could have got the shot ive been thinking about how the person or persons would react once they see iv'e photographed them. The best way in my view to get street shots is with a nice zoom lense so you can keep your distance and not ruin the shot as well as remain in the background.