CCTV
More and more customers are installing CCTV and they may not always be aware of the implications or obligations that come with it.
We recognise that having security cameras installed at your home can make you feel safer. However, we also recognise that your neighbour(s) may feel that security cameras on your home are intrusive and invade their privacy.
There are some key points to consider around installing CCTV.
What to do if you want to install CCTV on your home
You need to request permission to install CCTV on external walls of your home.
Before you do this, think about the problem you’re trying to resolve by installing CCTV.
Contact the local police for advice about crime prevention. Better locks or security lights may be a more effective way of securing your property.
CCTV used on your property will be exempt from the Data Protection Act (DPA) unless you are capturing footage of
- public space such as the pavement, the street,
- other properties such as your neighbours garden or house
- any shared spaces such as communal entrances, corridors or gardens
If you don’t follow this guidance, you could be breaking the law.
Any CCTV which records images beyond your own home, for example a neighbour's garden, is likely to mean the CCTV is not exempt from the Data Protection Act as a domestic installation. This means you would need to justify the reason for the installation and be registered with the regulator as a Data Controller.
The regulator is the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and recommends that you use CCTV in a responsible way to protect the privacy of others.
casework@ico.org.uk or call 0303 123 1113.
If there is an incident
In certain circumstances, the information you record may be used as evidence. You should bear in mind that:
- if your system captures information of an incident, it could be used by the police to aid an investigation
If you are unhappy about the use of a domestic CCTV system, use the ICO’s site page on CCTV to learn more.