Forums Forums Wirral Information Wirral Council Camera overlooking my house

Hello I'm after a bit of advice please.

There was a camera erected at the back of my house last year. Which is fine as it keeps an eye on the shops where gangs of people hang out.

I asked the council why it's there and what it's for on three occasions. Once by phone - they said they'd phone me back - still waiting... once by email - no reply... and once via a letter after they sent me a council tax demand (even though I have a DD set up) - no reply.

My concern is it can see into my kitchen, my bathroom (if the window, large fire escape style one, is open) and my garden.
I am not involved in any illegal activity but I always feel like I'm being watched when gardening and no longer is it possible to sit on the throne with the window open slightly..

lol

Thanks Bert. I have blinds Summer but I like to let the light and fresh air into the house. I've resorted to waving Victory signs when I go out the back door... Maybe I'm just paranoid
I'm going slightly mad... I'm going slightly maaaaddddd

I think you answered your own question there

All thats needed is a shield that stops the camera sweeping your property - shout loud enough and jump up and down a lot and something may get done.

....else get an air rifle and take the fooker out

I don't really recall gangs hanging out causing trouble... only one idiot who rides round the streets/pavements/footpaths day and night on a mini moto and when I asked a CSO if I accidently knocked him off with my car when it's dark and he comes flying round the corner into me apparently I'd get done!?

As long as you don't knock him off his bike in your toilet, no one will see you.

Basically under UK law, you are allowed to take pictures of private property provided you take them from a public place. There are some limitations of privacy concerning publication of the images, but this is of no use to you.

There is a way, if it is persistently taking pictures of you or your property then this can be classed as harassment. Make a formal complaint of harassment to them if this is the case, if they ignore it then make a complaint of harassment to the police.

As I minor point, is the camera clearly on public property, does it overhang a boundary or anything? If so then that would simplify things - just tell the council to bring an axe.

Although I can't find any immediate references to it, if there are children living or regularly visiting your property then there must be some method of using this to limit its operation. It is not unreasonable to have your bathroom window open, and it was there before the camera.

Install a nice bright security light, and focus it directly on the camera lens!

Buy the kids some nice new shiny paint guns

Is there anywhere left in Britain that isn't being watched by CCTV cameras?
What a reflection on today's society, do we really only behave ourselves because we know someone is watching our every move?

From the ICOs CCTV Code of Practice:

6. Selecting and siting the cameras

Any CCTV images must be adequate for the purpose for which you are collecting them. It is essential that you choose camera equipment and locations which achieve the purposes for which you are using CCTV. Both permanent and movable cameras should be sited and image capture restricted to ensure that they do not view areas that are not of interest and are not intended to be the subject of surveillance, such as individuals’ private property. The cameras must be sited and the system must have the necessary technical specification to ensure that images are of the appropriate quality.

source:

CCTV Code of Practice

I'm all in favour of them, looks like there's been four cars torched in four nights around Birkenhead. It is a very poor state of affairs, but better with CCTV than without.

At one time 90% of houses didn't have anything worth robbing, in today's more affluent society, most houses do, hence crime is likely to increase to match - the price we pay.

The camera "should" have privacy zones. Basically even if the camera is physically pointing at your house the CCTV software will blank it out. We had this on our system at an old work place and you can't bypass it (only the installers can)