Concerns raised after YouTuber seen taking pictures of shoppers at Lancashire Booths and Morrisons stores
Concerns have been raised about a YouTuber who has been filming and taking pictures of people without their permission at supermarkets across Lancashire.
Police were called after Mark Evans was seen snapping pictures of those visiting Booths stores in Lytham, Penwortham and Longton last week, and Morrisons in Cleveleys on Monday.
Shoppers, including those with young children, were alarmed by his behaviour after encountering him as they entered the supermarket car parks.
Dressed in black and sporting a baseball cap, the YouTuber from Blackpool, attracted the attention of store security, who reported him to police.
Officers attended but said no crime had been committed, leaving Mr Evans to continue taking pictures of members of the public.
A woman visiting the Morrisons store in Cleveleys said her and her daughter were left unnerved by their encounter with him.
She said: “He scared my daughter. He was just staring at us and taking our picture. It was very strange behaviour.”
Why does he do it?
He’s been at it for years, but it’s not known exactly why Mark Evans does what he does. He has a YouTube channel where he shares footage of his encounters with the public, business owners, security and even police, with over 1,500 videos to his name.
He’s one of a number of so-called ‘auditors’ who appear to film themselves in public or semi-public places (such as shopping centres, industrial estates, government sites or near police stations) to test and document reactions from staff or authorities to being filmed, often provoking confrontations for views and ad revenue.
While they often operate within the law (as filming in public is generally legal in the UK), they can cause tension by baiting security or officials into overreacting, generating content for their channels.
What should you do if you encounter him?
Those who confront him are often the ones featured in his YouTube videos, so it’s best to avoid reacting or interacting with him.
Some have suggested playing copyrighted music, such as Disney songs, as this will apparently make it more difficult for him to use his footage on YouTube.
Booths were approached for comment.