New legislation comes into effect today which changes the act of trespass from a civil offence to a criminal offence in certain places of the UK reports the BBC. The change could affect the way press photographers go about their trade.

Previously police could not make an arrest unless the trespasser was suspected of damaging property or would not agree to leave the area.

But under law which comes into force on 1 June, residences of the Queen and certain Government buildings have been added to a list of areas where trespassers can be arrested.

If convicted offenders can be jailed for up to 12 months or fined.

The list includes Downing St houses No 10 (the prime minister’s house), No 11 (the chancellor’s residence) and No 12 (the PM’s press office).

Royal residences on the list include Windsor Castle, the Queen’s Norfolk residence Sandringham and Prince Charles’ Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.

Government buildings on the list include the Ministry of Defence, the Palace of Westminster and Portcullis House, which contains MPs offices, and GCHQ sites in Cornwall, Scarborough and Cheltenham.