Is it legal to install a camera in your bedroom to record what goes on in front of your house?

Question

My neighbour has recently been seen with a video camera set up in his front bedroom window, pointing towards the pavement and road in front of his house. However, we live on a busy terrace street where there are a lot of passer-by's, and a lot of young children play out just across the road - which is probably being captured on camera. Is this legal? If not, who do I report it to?

Answer 1

Yes it is legal, I have recorded CCTV on my home, and one piece of footage was used by the Metropolitan Police, to successfully convict someone for attempted burglary.

Answer 2

Yes, perfectly legal - even if somewhat unusual behaviour.

If it happened in my neighbourhood someone would soon be at his door asking 'What do you think you're doing pointing that camera at my children?'

Its probably all quite innocent, maybe someone has been damaging his car or taking things from his garden.

How about paying him a friendly visit, and telling him that some of the neighbours are becoming concerned because they think he might be pointing the camera at their children, and that you wouldn't like him to get into trouble over it? Innocent or not, that would probably be enough to stop it without causing a confrontation and he'd think you were doing him a favour.

If you're worried about telling him, send him an anonymous note through the post.

There's nothing much the police could do, because he hasn't committed an offence.

Answer 3

If this camera is pointing out onto the street this is invading peoples privacy. If there are children playing in the street then i would certainly not be happy if my children were being filmed. Unfortunately there are lots of people in the world who do this sort of thing for their own reasons and i would certainly be contacting the Police to get it looked into for peace of mind. If this camera is only pointing onto their property then that's fine but if not then there are questions to be asked why are they doing it. This is a matter for the Poolice to check out and make sure there is no colatteral intrusion. On contacting the Police let them know that you don't want your neighbour to know where the complaint has come from as this often causes neighbour disputes. But DO report it.

Answer 4

You need to check your state and local laws. In most cases you can do almost anything you want on your own property or behind closed doors. I would think as long as it is not being used for illegal purposes, like trying to capture the children nude or doing things they really shouldn't be in public or putting them on the internet, then he can record whatever he wants. A lot of people in high crime areas do this. I assume you are worried about the children since you made it a point to mention them. I would call the police and make sure, they may go and check him out and make sure nothing illegal is going on.

Answer 5

I think that technically anybody can film anything, without prior permission. (That's how paparazzi make a living).
However, if you have any reason, and I mean any reason at all, to think that the filming might be for any nefarious purpose, then report it immediately. Maybe a visit from the Old Bill will frighten the film maker.
Having said that, I'm going to erect a camera to film the bit of pavement outside my house to stop people stealing my flowers and pots.

Answer 6

I have been informed by the police that it is legal to a have a camera filming the entrance to your house and your vehicle, we have been having a lot of problems with neighbourhood children damaging cars and I was advise by the police to install a camera in the front bedroom and they checked it to make sure it was only focused on the car, my drive and the entrance to my house.

Answer 7

I'm not too sure about the legality, but anyone setting up a surveillance area that may encroach on a public right of way need to put up a notice saying that that area is covered by camera surveillance. A contact name and number also need to be posted for people to query the surveillance policy.

Call up your local council and check what their policy is on private parties setting up camera surveillance.

Answer 8

Legal as can be. If he were trying to point it into some ones house then it would be an invasion of privacy but if it takes place out side then he has every right to tape it.

P.S.
I live in a really bad neighborhood and for our neighborhood watch I am going to put a camera in my window to catch the drug dealers on tape!

Answer 9

No it is not illegal you must put in place a sign THIS PLACE IS BEING MONITORED BY VIDEO SURVEILANCE. That is a legal requirement in Australia. That is why shops have signs in place so if they caught you shoplifting they can use the tape in court. If they fail to advise customers they are being filmed then you can get off as the tape cannot be used in a court of law. It is the same as taping a conversation you must make the person you are taping aware that they are being taped.

Answer 10

Yes, it's entirely legal. He can do what he likes in his own property. What is the difference between him videoing stuff and just standing there and looking out of his window? Not a lot really.

Answer 11

i've got 2 camera's,1 outside my bedroom window the other outside my daughter's window just because there is alot of car's being damaged by yob's who have nothing better to do with their day and also it's quite funny when you see people coming out of the pub singing.i don't see it being a problem, it would only be a problem if you think the camera is LOOKING AT YOU.