A CCTV camera installed at your premises is a major deterrent to crime. CCTV systems are able to keep track of what is happening at your property. By monitoring the activities of visitors at your home and business site, you and your family can have total peace of mind about what exactly is going on under your roof. If you are looking to install a CCTV system, UK CCTV Installations can be a great choice as it has over 90 CCTV installation teams across the United Kingdom.
The vast majority of CCTV cameras in the UK are not operated by government bodies, but by private individuals or companies, especially to monitor the interior of shops or businesses. According to a report by the British Security Industry Association, surveillance cameras are in the number of 4 to 6 million in the UK.
It is now a very common occurrence for individuals to use CCTV systems to protect their homes. It may seem like an appropriate way to protect your domestic space, but the number of complaints from members of the house is increasing. Complaints are often made by neighbours who believe that the security cameras are invading their privacy.
To ensure that you use your security cameras effectively and respectfully, follow the list of rules and tips enlisted below.
CCTV camera placement
If you have bought a new house, research the history of your home by asking past owners whether there have been any past break-ins. Determine the most vulnerable spots of your home. The most common susceptible areas include front doors, obscured windows and areas of your home that are dimly lit.
Make sure that your security cameras are not disturbed by outside elements. Cut trees or other vegetation that conceals the path of the cameras and also avoid placing your cameras in a location where they will be disturbed by the bright glare of the sun. Make sure that the night vision operates correctly in all conditions as it enhances the effectiveness of your cameras.
Things to keep in mind while using a CCTV system
The positioning of your cameras has a great impact on the effectiveness of the CCTV system. You can consider options like privacy filters if a certain positioning of your camera intrudes on your neighbour’s privacy. You become subject to the data protection act if your cameras capture images outside of your household. This does not mean you are breaking the law but you are the data controller. So, as a CCTV user, you will need to comply with your legal obligations under the data protection laws. You need to show you are doing it in ways that comply with the laws and uphold the rights of the people whose images you are capturing.
Take steps to ensure the camera is positioned correctly to avoid complaints or in some cases, accusations of violation of privacy or harassment. You can inform the public that recording is taking place on your property by having a notice. Informing your neighbours about the new CCTV system can help in reducing the number of complaints.
You are responsible for the CCTV recordings and you must use your system only for the intended purpose. Ensure that you know how to operate your system and that it is installed correctly, if not, read the manual. The date and time stamps on the footage should always be correct and the recordings should have minimum access. Only keep the footage as long as you need it – delete it regularly and when it is no longer needed.
Best locations and positions to place security cameras
The following are some common and recommended areas for surveillance camera placements:
Front door
Your front door definitely needs a security camera as 34% of the burglars enter through the front door. Place your camera on the second-floor to prevent burglars from knocking out your camera. You can also enclose your camera in a mesh wiring to help prevent it from knocking.
Back door
22% of burglary takes place through the back door, so you would benefit from using a security camera here. If needed, you should attach a security camera to every door of your home.
Near off-street windows
About 23% of the thieves also break into a home by entering through a rear window, away from the view of a street. You can point a security camera to off-street windows to keep those windows safe from burglars.
