Dummy Home CCTV Camera's Neighbour Dispute. Police Called.

electribem

Advanced apologies if this posting is in the wrong place.

Yesterday I installed a dummy CCTV home camera at the side on my property I was finding bags of poo, rubbish and odd bits of food in my garden. A few hours later I get my irrate neighbour knocking on my door asking a whole bunch of harassing questions. I don't get on with this neighbour at all but thought I'd oblige by answering.
Their main concern was that they are running a sensitive business from their property and the Dummy CCTV TV Camera would threaten client’s privacy. They didn’t cotton onto to the fact that the cameras are fake.. But I made it clear that the camera is not pointing or viewing any part of their rear property as per UK law. Later on that evening I get a visit from our local police constable asking some more questions. Obviously I was livid. I told the officer that this was a complete waste of his time as the camera in question is a fake. I said this was out of the MP officer’s jurisdiction because if they have a problem with the camera it is a civil matter. These concerns were acknowledged but the officer stated the camera is viewed by them as a voyeurism device. I said as you can see officer I have warning notices everywhere showing that I have a CCTV Security system installed. So therefore I have a right to protect my property from crime and deter would be thieves. The police officer was satisfied with my explanation but suddenly found himself in a difficult position as we informed him that this information cannot be divulged in order to add to the illusion. He assured us that he would not but stated that if our neighbours still had a problem they can start civil proceedings. (As we knew).
I want to know what course of action my neighbour can now take to get these dummy cameras removed. The fact that they are running a sensitive business from a residential premises is of no concern to me and I question whether it is legal to do so (they failed to inform the officer of this). Can my neighbour file a complaint or statement with the local police? And also if this goes to court will it be thrown out for being the ridiculous mud on face case ever! I would like to know what I can do as home owner to protect myself against my neighbour if the chance of legalatily arises.
As I have read every home owner has the right to protect their property from theft and vandalism. Just because a neighbour is running a sensitive business from the rear of their property, as I said before, is no concern of mine. Take it off premises if you want to protect client identity.
I think I am being treated really badly by someone who just has control issues and is clearly mentally unstable.
What can I do in the meantime to prepare for court action?

Enterprise_1701C

A few years ago we were having trouble with kids playing in a parking area behind our property. I rang the council to ask if I would be able to take pictures of them to show the parents. I was informed that, so long as I was on my property, I could take pictures so long as they would not be considered to be voyeuristic (didn't use that phrase but is what was meant).

Is the camera on your property, you say it is the side, does your camera overhang your neighbour's property or a public right of way?

Don't know if the above is relevant, but it is the closest I can come. Perhaps take pictures of the problem if it reappears to show the problem you are trying to combat.

neilwoods

First thing to understand, is domestic CCTV, there are very VEW laws to govern this, it is not like commercial cctv where it is a minefield. Domestic cctv is exempt from data protection.

As for pointing into other people garden, human rights act. So even if you had full working cameras, as long as they don't capture what the neighbours are doing, or anything outside your property. But then again, if you had a car or vehicle parked outside, you can point at it.

As for neighbour making a complaint, anyone can make a complaint to the local council, those are the people you would be more likely to fall foul off, so many camera per meter, or if is conservation area. Are you neighbours a registered business, they pay there business rates, matter of health & safety, does there business impact of your life. As you have not said what it is, is it some kind of counselling then.

electribem

Sorry to hear that you have problems in the past with kids playing.
-Well, the officer did initally ask if we were familar with the laws of voyerism (which we are) and that is why the police responded to the call.

In answer to your questions the dummy camera is not over hanging into any neighbours property and is soley attached to my property. It is being used as deterrent and can be seen from over my back fence which backs onto an alleyway.

mrbrightside842

I'm intrigued as to what the 'business' is? Is he a dealer? Is it a brothel? I can't see a legitimate reason!

electribem

The 'business' in question I believe it's a counselling service. Not entirely sure though. I'm unsure you can actually run these from a residential premesis. How could I find this out?

Oblivion

electribem wrote: »

The 'business' in question I believe it's a counselling service. Not entirely sure though. I'm unsure you can actually run these from a residential premesis. How could I find this out?

It may have changed since I was in Local Government but in my day, if you wanted to run a business from a residential property you had to seek planning consent 'Change of Use'. That would, IF approved (most were not) then invoke the payment of Business Rates.

My advice would be to contact your council and ask what is the status of your neighbours property and whether they are authorised to run a business from it. Might stir up a few feathers

electribem

Oblivion wrote: »

It may have changed since I was in Local Government but in my day, if you wanted to run a business from a residential property you had to seek planning consent 'Change of Use'. That would, IF approved (most were not) then invoke the payment of Business Rates.

My advice would be to contact your council and ask what is the status of your neighbours property and whether they are authorised to run a business from it. Might stir up a few feathers

Thank you for your reply. I have sent an email to the council asking that very question. Will keep you posted on the outcome.

Enterprise_1701C

Of course, my immediate thoughts were that it was this neighbour causing the problem and did not want to be discovered, shame it is not a real camera.

I believe you should have no problems, all on your own property, no real filming etc. As for the privacy of his clients, they are coming to his property and could be seen an identified anyway, can't think he could have a real complaint on these grounds.

Good luck solving your problem.

electribem

Enterprise_1701C wrote: »

Of course, my immediate thoughts were that it was this neighbour causing the problem and did not want to be discovered, shame it is not a real camera.

I believe you should have no problems, all on your own property, no real filming etc. As for the privacy of his clients, they are coming to his property and could be seen an identified anyway, can't think he could have a real complaint on these grounds.

Good luck solving your problem.

Thanks for your reply. Love the Enterprise profile pic. Saw Star Trek: Into Darkness last week....really good. Anyway back on topic....I forgot to mention in my original post that the officer informed us that our neighbour on the other side has complained as well. The more the merrier it seems.

Enterprise_1701C

Is that neighbour "in" with your other neighbour? Might have been encouraged to complain by your other neighbour? What grounds did your second neighbour give for complaining?

On my profile pic, I started off with a picture of Voyager to see if anyone spotted it and mentioned it - it took 6 months!!!