Hi RubyRen, you are identifying a subject that is very worrying to many of us. We have had many assurances from authorities that the laws were never meant to impede the hobbyist photographer, but somehow the official line never seems to trickle down to the officer on the street and that is where most of the complaints emanate.
A few threads have run their course on this subject, you may not have picked up on them so here are links. Also the last link is of a very good blog written by a well informed professional photogrpaher. He tries to state the ground rules, just so you know.
http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...ead.php?t=5389
http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...ead.php?t=3869
http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...ead.php?t=4135
http://www.sirimo.co.uk/2009/05/14/u...ers-rights-v2/
Graham