Police swooped on Graham Rigg last month after he was spotted taking photographs of Easter revellers from the window of his car.

Officers ordered him to lock up his vehicle and sit in the back seat of their patrol car.

They then told him there had been a 999 call saying he'd been taking pictures of children in a play park on South Shields seafront.

However, the moment officers realised the episode had all been a misunderstanding, Mr Rigg was sent on his way.

He wrote to South Shields MP David Miliband about his ordeal, and the Foreign Secretary then contacted the Home Office to establish what the situation was.

Now Home Office minister Tony McNulty has replied, effectively backing the rights of photographers.

He said: "There is no legal restriction on photography in public places, and there is no presumption of privacy for individuals in a public place.

"It is for the chief constable to ensure that police officers and police community support officers are acting appropriately with regards to photography in public places."

The issue was recently raised by Austin Mitchell MP, who put forward an early-day motion to Parliament to have the rights of photographers recognised.

Mr Rigg, 51, of Collingwood Street, South Shields, said: "I back Mr Mitchell's campaign and his motion, and I'm pleased Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn has added his signature to the motion.

"It is important for the police and other authorities to remember that a reasonable suspicion that a crime is being commissioned, or is about to be, needs to be established first, using all available evidence, before deciding to apprehend.

"This campaign is not designed to change or alter any laws, it is designed to educate, inform, and emphasise our current laws, and to re-establish the common rights that all photographers have enjoyed for many years."

Superintendent Paul Beasley, of South Shields police, said: "This incident arose from a concern about a lone male taking pictures of what were believed to be young children.

"This is obviously an emotive issue, which would generate significant public concern.

"To ensure the safety of children in the area, we took steps to ensure that the man's motives were genuine, and once this was established, there was no further police action taken.

"This man was not arrested, and was co-operative throughout. He didn't express any concern to the officers when stopped and spoken to, and seemed to understand the action undertaken."