The most chatters online in one day was 11, 26-03-2008. lildev666
CCTV Forum Thread, is it against the law to put cctv on the front of your home? in Close Protection World Area; where i live, is one of the main thoroughfares for students to travel to and from accomadation an uni/town, when ...
is it against the law to put cctv on the front of your home?
is it against the law to put cctv on the front of your home?
where i live, is one of the main thoroughfares for students to travel to and from accomadation an uni/town, when the students are here in uni, they have trashed my motorcycle , my works van damaged and doorbells ripped off the front door, my partner has had her car damaged and neighbours too. when we inform the police, their attitude is unless you prove it it students they WONT persue it.
I was under the impression that as long as it doesn't infringe on anyone elses privacy (been able to see through their windows, garden etc...) it is ok for you to put one up.
We had a very similar problem at my old house, the local bobby came round to our local meeting and gave us the do's and don'ts, one of which was, don't go spying!
Will have to have a read up on RIPA, sure the answer we're looking for must be in there some place. I'm sure it's a dam good read but for now I'll stick with my Nuts magazine.
RIPA does not apply to this situation because D.Ritchie08 is not a Public Authority so forget it! However, I would use it as 'best practise'. The DPA does not apply also if the CCTV is covert as a last resort.
If he is to go to the Police with video evidence, he is perfectly able to put a CCTV camera covering the area concerned if he makes these considerations:-
Installing a camera is a last resort - I presume it is
Is it necessary - yes it is
Is it proportionate - yes, so long as he does not have 50 cameras a seismic sensor and a tank to waste them away.
You minimise collateral intrusion - only point the camera at the areas concerned. It may be that you record 'innocent' passers by but you must takes steps to minimise this by tilting the camera or using a narrow angle lens.
Put up a sign stating 'Area covered by CCTV' to act as a deterrent. This may not deter the vandals but you have taken steps to inform them. Under the Data Protection Act this is necessary unless it is covert and as a last resort. SO you don't necessarily have to do this.
Ensure the video has a date / time stamp on it (not absolutely essential but really helps your case)
Use a fresh video tape. If you obtain a recording of vandalism, preserve the integrity of the tape (now evidence). Call the fuzz and Gene Hunt will give them a kicking!
If the culprits were caught and their solicitor decided to contest that the video evidence was obtained unlawfully a judge will be thinking: were your actions fair, unavoidable, a last resort, did you take into account any collateral intrusion....
I would say a covert camera is better but quality images are a problem, its no good having a camera if they know where it is and having one if the images are crap, of no evidential value at all. Some of the council cameras still have problems at night, so unless you are prepared to pay good money or get a security light you may be wasting your time. Have you thought about some type of pyshical barriers or fencing, forget the police they would probally say the images you did get do not show faces etc, i imagine it would be unlikely the offenders would hold up a sign with the names and addresses written on it.
yes it is legal if you are only monitoring your own property, but even than u have to get approval from you neighbours. cuz they can complain saying they are being monitored. so if u explain to ur neighbours and istall cctv, its no probs.
is it against the law to put cctv on the front of your home?
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