Theresa May, the Home Secretary, has said that her government is making street photography rights a priority in its review of anti-terrorism legislation.

In a statement, May says that "national security is the first duty of government but we are also committed to reversing the substantial erosion of civil liberties. I want a counter-terrorism regime that is proportionate, focused and transparent."

She adds: "We must ensure that in protecting public safety, the powers which we need to deal with terrorism are in keeping with Britain’s traditions of freedom and fairness."

The review will look at what counter-terrorism powers and measures could be rolled back "in order to restore the balance of civil liberties and counter-terrorism powers." The review will be led by the Home Office with "independent oversight by Lord Ken Macdonald QC, the former director of public prosecutions. May adds: "We will look at the evidence presented to us and where it is clear that legislation needs to be amended or powers need to be rolled back, we will do so."

The review will focus on six areas - one of them being "stop and search powers in section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and the use of terrorism legislation in relation to photography," says the Home Secretary.

The other areas are the use of control orders; the detention of terrorist suspects before charge; extending the use of deportations with assurances to remove foreign nationals from the UK who pose a threat to national security; measures to deal with organisations that promote hatred or violence; and the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 by local authorities, and access to communications data more generally.

The review is expected to last until autumn.