I've been snapping ships at Goole for over thirty years, I used to have a Dock Pass which stipulated 'non-commercial photography purposes', which was OK by me. When I went to renew it I was informed I had to have full PPE? gear (Personal Protection Equipment?) Hard hat, Hi Vis Boots etc and thought stuff it I'll pursue my hobby from the highway or the public footpath.This was in the late 70's before the world went H & S mad.
The only time my activities were ever questioned by anyone was in Feb this year, 2016, on Bridge St,when a security guy puled up in his van and asked what I was doing. I told him I was just a sad shipspotter and had been for years, I showed him my notebook of ships spotted, and he was as nice as pie, he told me that his gaffers had told him to challenge people engaging in this activity and that was that. No probs.
I also spend a fair amount of time at Sth Gare at Middlesbrough and regularly see vehicles marked 'Docks Police' with unformed Officers in them, I do not know if they are accredited Constables or not, but they just drive slowly past,they never stop and ask. Perhaps someone could enlighten me as to the situation there.