A 35-year-old man has been charged with indecency after allegedly photographing young women and children at a popular Perth beach.



Police allege that on Saturday between 10.30am and 10.50am (WST) the man took photographs while women and children were sunbaking and emerging from the ocean at Cottesloe beach.



It is alleged the man used a zoom lens to photograph their breast and groin areas without their knowledge.



The man then allegedly struggled with police and refused to give them his camera before being arrested.



He has been charged with one count of indecent acts in public and one count of obstructing police.



AAP