We call on Newcastle City Council, Northumbria Police, and major social media platforms to take action against the growing trend of exploitative street filming targeting homeless and vulnerable individuals in Newcastle.

Recently, content creators such as ‘Tin Tin’ and ‘Michael Ballymore’ have been repeatedly recording people who are homeless, struggling with addiction, or otherwise vulnerable (often without consent) for the purpose of online attention and engagement. This behaviour is harassing, dehumanising, and dangerous.

No one should be filmed while in distress, intoxicated, sleeping rough, or experiencing a mental health crisis. These individuals deserve safeguarding, privacy, and dignity. Not public humiliation for entertainment.

We ask for the following:

• Stronger enforcement of existing laws around harassment, public order, and non‑consensual filming

• A Community Protection Notice (CPN) assessment for individuals repeatedly engaging in this behaviour

• Clear public guidance from Newcastle City Council on filming vulnerable people in public spaces

• Collaboration with outreach teams to ensure those being targeted receive support rather than exploitation

• Social media platforms to remove content that violates privacy, exploits vulnerable people, or encourages harassment

Newcastle is a city known for compassion, community, and solidarity. Exploitative filming does not represent us. We urge local authorities and online platforms to act now to protect those who cannot easily protect themselves.