images of children

[gypsymoth]

Is it right that my neighbour can put up a cctv camera which covers my property,not hers,where my 14,3 and 1 year old children play?

[Ethel]

Yes and no. Yes, it is not a criminal offence and there is no law against it.
No, you may be able to get an injunction to stop him.

As a private individual a person can have cctv cameras in/on his premises pointing at whatever he chooses. The Data Protection Act does not apply to individuals. That individual will only attract the attention of the police if he causes a disturbance by his use of cctv (a breach of the peace). If that individual creates a nuisance (say by harassing his neighbours by compromising their privacy in their own home) they might seek a civil action against him for damages, or seek an injunction against him to cease the nuisance.

If your neighbour is at all approachable, ask him to afix a shield to the camera, so his view is restricted to his own property.

[gypsymoth]

Thankyou,hopefully tomorrow our village policeman is going to come down and look at neighbours cameras and let me know exactly what they can see.I doubt very much that they can do anything in regard to having them moved but I am going to voice my concerns about images of children(concidering that we cant video them in a school play even though we are their parents)
We do have plans on how to block the cctv legally and are going to let the police know of our intentions.
I will keep you informed of how things go and I just wish that cctvs wern`t such a grey area-my local police help desk didn`t have a clue

[Ethel]

Are you sure your neighbour is recording the footage?

My CCTV cameras are not hooked up to recording equipment.

[gypsymoth]

Yes I`m sure I saw it all being fitted last week and she has spoken to someother neighbours who have seen the set-up.Split screen tv etc (they said it cost �2000!)
Still waiting to speak to the police

[Peter Pedant]

No i think the data protection act DOES apply to her
[it does to me, and I am registered]

and I am pretty sure she has to display a notice telling you who the data controller is, and YOU can apply for copies of the film....

google Office of Information Commissioner
they should be much more help

[Ethel]

Any news on this one?

[gypsymoth]

Hi thanks for your comments.I have spoken to the police today and he is going to come and have a look at what exactly is in her camera view.Unfortunately this is going to be at the end of the month!In the meantime I am going to put a planter with a tall trellis infront of the main camera!
I have looked on the information commissioners website-thanks Peter-and have made a few enquiries of which I am waiting replies.I have also phoned a few security installation firms for their views and they seem to think that at least one of the cameras shouldn`t be where it is.My next step is to see a solicitor and see what they have to say.
I`ll keep you posted
Once again,thanks for the help

[gypsymoth]

The alarm company has been back today and fiddled about a bit.A sign has gone up in her outhouse telling us that cctv is in op and who to contact.I havn`t read it properly as I knew it would make her day when she plays it back!

[gypsymoth]

The police have finally been and have asked her to move two of the cameras which they said were obtrusive.Hurray