Guest xquest Posted November 28, 2006 Share Posted November 28, 2006 I have had a couple of double-glazed lounge windows shattered by airgun pellets. What are the legal restrictions in setting up a concealed camera to record people on the pavement (about 15 ft. from the windows) ? Am I allowed to cover the pavement, the road and the far pavement ? If not, what other action could I take? The police advise that it is most likely a one-off and I won't be considering action unless it happens again. Any advice anyone ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doktor Jon Posted November 28, 2006 Share Posted November 28, 2006 Hi xquest and welcome! If you are installing the camera in your home, then under Section 36 of the Data Protection Act, you are exempt from compliance (any residential cameras are not required to comply with the Act). As such, you can cover the area you require, you do not need to provide any warning signs, and anyone 'caught on camera' does not have a statutory right of access to the recorded images. Whilst Time and Date imprint would not be mandatory in this situation, it would be highly desirable if you were intending to provide any recordings for possible evidential use. Just as a thought, were the holes created by the airgun pellets clean enough that you could look through both panes to see where the shot had originated from? That might help you to decide what type of camera / lens combination would be most appropriate to your needs. D.J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest xquest Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Many thanks for the useful info and suggestions. The Crime Prevention Officer suggested I cut down the front hedges (from 6' to about 3') in the hope that a more open aspect is off-putting. There were probably two guns used - there was only one loud crack as both windows went. Only one outer pane has a neat hole, the other is just cracked, which is what would be expected if they fired from the pavement in the gap between the hedges on either side of the drive-one is at 90 degrees to the window, the other more at an angle. As my police sergeant son-in-law said 'don't react too quickly as it might be seen as daring them to have another go'. So a bit of hedge cutting and tree lopping - already planned for next year anyway, and if necessary a camera recording onto my PC subject to the advice in the publications. Thanks again folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.wilson Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 don't react too quickly as it might be seen as daring them to have another go not sure i agree with that statement! better leave the doors open then to stop em securitywarehouse Security Supplies from Security Warehouse Trade Members please contact us for your TSI vetted trade discount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doktor Jon Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 As my police sergeant son-in-law said 'don't react too quickly as it might be seen as daring them to have another go'. Like jameswilson, I'd also not necessarily agree with that advice You can react as quickly as you like, as long as you are not seen to react. If you install a hidden (covert) camera, you won't be daring them to have another go, as they won't see the camera. If, or should I say when you replace the broken glass, that can be all the encouragement needed for the 'perps' to have another go, and provided you have your hidden camera in place, then you should be able to record the suspects, if they're stupid enough to attack again. Depending on whether there is a history of local problems, or if you think that you are being deliberately targetted, you have to remember that apart from Xmas rapidly approaching (lots of drinking!), the darkest winter nights are still ahead for the next couple of months, so you have to consider the level of risk, and whether you can afford the possibility of a further attack, without having taken any appropriate precautions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akpak Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 Agree with James, Jon & Colin. If they do come back and have another go after you have decided not to take any action quickly, you are more or less giving them a free shot....... I'd put some covert or "visible presence" equipment in place as soon as you can. Alan http://www.pakatak.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RussS Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Information Commisioner Click on the above link for the info you require Wow, things there are really different than here. Here pretty much everything considered "Public Domain" or, "No Reasonable Expectation of Privacy" is fair game for CCTV. If you could place a cam from your window to see the street that's okay. No restrooms, bedrooms, etc. Where exists the "reasonable expectation of privacy." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luggsey Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Wow, things there are really different than here. Here pretty much everything considered "Public Domain" or, "No Reasonable Expectation of Privacy" is fair game for CCTV. If you could place a cam from your window to see the street that's okay. No restrooms, bedrooms, etc. Where exists the "reasonable expectation of privacy." I have got cameras on my house with fixed focus lenses that look at the lane outside my house, it also looks (Indirectly) at the lounge windows of my neighbour. It only records movement in the lane not at my neighbours windows. If anyone complained I would simply point out that I can see more by looking through my window with a MK.1 eyeball then can be seen with a cheap camera. I think if I ever got taken to court for having these cameras up that would stand up as defence, now having a dome with a big zoom at high level would be hard to explain! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life is like a box of chocolates, some bugger always gets the nice ones! My Amateur Radio Forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doktor Jon Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 I have got cameras on my house with fixed focus lenses that look at the lane outside my house, it also looks (Indirectly) at the lounge windows of my neighbour. It only records movement in the lane not at my neighbours windows. If anyone complained I would simply point out that I can see more by looking through my window with a MK.1 eyeball then can be seen with a cheap camera.I think if I ever got taken to court for having these cameras up that would stand up as defence, now having a dome with a big zoom at high level would be hard to explain! I hate to be a party pooper luggsey, but from what you've described, if the neighbour made a formal complaint to the police, they would probably have grounds to investigate under existing 'Harassment' legislation; if they requested you to stop monitoring (albeit passively) your neighbours property and you refused, I somehow doubt that your defence argument would actually be considered reasonable in a court of law. The type of equipment being used is not as relevant, as the effect it has on the neighbour. So for example, you could fit an authentic looking dummy, and it's mere presence could have exactly the same effect on the 'peaceful enjoyment of their property', as it would if you fitted a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luggsey Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 I hate to be a party pooper luggsey, but from what you've described, if the neighbour made a formal complaint to the police, they would probably have grounds to investigate under existing 'Harassment' legislation; if they requested you to stop monitoring (albeit passively) your neighbours property and you refused, I somehow doubt that your defence argument would actually be considered reasonable in a court of law.The type of equipment being used is not as relevant, as the effect it has on the neighbour. So for example, you could fit an authentic looking dummy, and it's mere presence could have exactly the same effect on the 'peaceful enjoyment of their property', as it would if you fitted a ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life is like a box of chocolates, some bugger always gets the nice ones! My Amateur Radio Forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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