CCTV cameras

[cctv]

Our neighbours have installed CCTV cameras all round their property and one in particular is pointing straight onto our property. We feel that this is an infringement of our privacy. What can we do to get it lowered or even removed?

[luxury]

Hi cctv,

These links may be of use. :)

http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/cc tv/cctv13.htm

http://www.cctv-data-protection.info/legal1/

[-gem-]

you need these /\ for home use?

[Ethel]

The first link is totally irrelevant to the domestic householder installing cctv as is the second link.

If your neigbours are friendly, speak to them in the first instance - they may not be able to see anything on your property after all; or only what they could see by looking out of their windows or a casual passer by could see from the pavement, in which case there is no real invasion of privacy.

They may not be recording it. The camera over my front door, for example, appears to be recording next door's property. The truth is, it doesn't record at all, and is only activated when somebody presses the door bell. My neighbour has seen this and is happy with it.

They may be prepared to put a shield up, so it can't focus on your property.

If it is focusing on your property and they are not prepared to move it or put a shield up AND it is being recorded, they are in breach of the Data Protection Act and you will need to consult a solicitor.

[-gem-]

nice, Ethel. So I need no data protection stuff or signs if recording on my property?

Golden rule in all this, far overriding, is 'maintain good neighbourly relations'. NOTHING worse than bad blood between you.

[Ethel]

If you are recording your home only, and not public footpaths or anyone else's private property, you need do nothing re signs, warnings anything. :)

[Abdulmajid]

I am of the belief that if the CCTV is installed for the prevention and detection of crime ONLY then there is no need for any law whatsoever, whether commercial or domestic AS LONG as it is visible.

I may be wrong, but that is my interpretation and I without blowing my own trumpet I was a captain in the Intelligence Corp which covered all the relevant RIPA, Data Protection and whatnot.

[Ethel]

If it is on commercial property there MUST be signage up giving the name and contact details of the camera operatives who MUST give a copy of the relevant footage if requested.

So if a small corner has CCTV to deter shoplifters, I am entitled to ask for a copy of any recording of me.

[-gem-]

what would you do with it?

[Hymie]

There is a lot of nonsense (including most of the above) in relation to private cctv cameras.

In my previous life, I used to engage in a bit of photography, and took the legal position with regards what you could and could not photograph very seriously. Restrictions on what can be photographed are broadly the same as those that can be filmed by a cctv system (after all, the cctv system is just continuous photographing).

Anything which can be viewed in public, can be photographed, with a few very special exceptions, which will not be applicable to most home cctv system. This also applies to what can be seen from your property.

There is nothing to stop you positioning a cctv camera which is trained on your neighbour�s front door, recording each time they come & go. However, they would have a very good case in gaining an injunction stopping you doing this, it being an unreasonable intrusion in their life.

One of my cctv cameras covers my front gate and a significant part of the path way, everyone walking passed is captured on my cctv system. In theory, they (or the authorities) could try to get a court order to stop me doing this. However, I would point out to the court that the cctv camera was there for security purposes, it is also on a continuously over-recording hard disk and only viewed should an incident require � I would expect the court to say this was perfectly acceptable, especially since I have recorded (on the cctv system), damage being committed against my property.

[-gem-]

@@Anything which can be viewed in public, can be photographed, with a few very special exceptions@@

What are the exceptions, Hymie?

[Hymie]

You are not permitted to photograph a court of law, while it is in session (the building) � without permission of the court. I believe that there are similar restrictions with regards photographing high court judges in their full regalia. Where they are photographed, permission has been granted by the appropriate authorities.

The above is applicable to the UK, other countries also have restrictions on what may be photographed. Travelers should be aware that many civil airports double as military bases, and photography is often strictly prohibited. I recall some years ago a group of British anoraks getting arrested in Greece, for this exact offence.

[Abdulmajid]

And thi9ngs can not be photographed if sexual gratification will ensue from such a snap. Hard to prove, but can come under voyeurism laws.

Therefore you are allowed to photograph ANYBODY in public and as long as commercial gain is not collected without permission of the photographed, feel free to snap anyway.

At the moment this even included children, but this will soon be changed.

But harassment laws may come in to force if the snapping is, well, harassing. Paparazzi, sometimes fall foul of this.

[ekanshi]

CCTV camera is the best way to secure your property, but its wrong and illegal to keep your eyes on others property too.. You can talk to your neighbor about this problem and if they are not listening, then you can take any legal action against them.
http://videodoorphone...video-door-phone.html

[richardmurrayy]

I think Ethel is right, but if you still think that your privacy is in other eye then you have to control the access, for this you need to take advice from an expert.
Please check this out it might help you http://ionu.co.uk/AccessControl.html