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CCTV of swimming pool playing in cafe

192 replies

Imdunfer · 30/03/2026 07:50

Looking for advice on whether it would be rational to make a formal complaint about this.

The gym I use has just started playing the live CCTV feed of the swimming pool area into the cafe.

I'm very unhappy about being watched in my swimming costume by people I can't see watching me, but also there are children's swimming lessons going on in the pool as well and that feels like a safeguarding issue.

I've talked to the guy manning the desk and he brushed it off.

UABU - you are being unreasonable, there's nothing wrong with people you can't see being able to watch you and little children in wet swimming costumes.

UANBU - make a formal complaint

OP posts:
JJWT · 30/03/2026 10:19

HoskinsChoice · 30/03/2026 08:12

Why though? People can see you in a swimming costume in pools or at the beach. What difference does it make whether you can see them? I think you need to process in your mind why this is a problem.

I think the op's issue is that on the beach you know who's there, how many ppl can see you etc
Also everyone would be typically dressed for the beach, which kinda makes everyone equal. Someone dry and fully clothed just sat watching you on a screen when you cannot see them feels different. Also a screen is a kind of focus to watch as opposed to just blending in to the surroundings. I'll come clean and own up I was S A as a child and have zero trust and would be getting this removed by whatever means necessary if this was me. Its an invasion of her privacy and erodes her ability to weigh up her surroundings/situation as she can't see who can see her. I understand why the op finds it demeaning or intrusive.

zanahoria · 30/03/2026 10:17

I am supporting you just because there is to much CCTV around these days and they need a good reason to add more not just because parents may want to sit in the cafe and have a coffee while watching their kids

Tillow4ever · 30/03/2026 10:16

There’s nothing in the OP to suggest this is new CCTV, it’s just now being “live-streamed” into the “dark & dingy” seating area. Clearly you weren’t bothered about people watching you in private previously (the staff watching the cctv) so the issue isn’t that you can’t see who’s watching you, it’s the location. The fact you’ve mentioned it being dark and dingy multiple times, plus unmanned, and said it wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility when another poster mentioned a bloke sitting in there wanking to the live feed, I suspect THIS is the real issue. If the area were well lit or manned, would you feel better about it?

Hadenough32 · 30/03/2026 10:15

We aren't allowed phones out poolside to record the kids or anyone else.
If the cctv is being played in a public area what's to stop someone recording parts of it on their phone. I wouldn't want screen shots of my fat arse sent around for a laugh.

brunettemic · 30/03/2026 10:15

Imdunfer · 30/03/2026 08:06

It is different from a window. With a window I can see who is watching me. I can't see who is looking at the TV.

Edited

Don’t be ridiculous. At no point do you know exactly who is and isn’t watching you. Nobody cares about you in your swimming costume, wet or dry.

BillieWiper · 30/03/2026 10:12

Imdunfer · 30/03/2026 08:02

The cafe is only accessible to gym members. There are plenty of guys in the gym that I don't want looking at me in a wet swimming costume without me being able to see them looking.

Visually, on CCTV, What's the difference between the appearance of a wet or a dry swimming costume? They don't shrink or go see through when wet?

LeedsLoiner · 30/03/2026 10:05

Question for the OP.
If they take the CCTV out of the cafe so the parents can't watch the pool from there, how are you going to cope in the pool when the poolside is full of parents - who now have to be there to watch their children and that presumably includes some men (and in your world all men appear to be potential child molesters or perverts ogling you)?

MyDeftDuck · 30/03/2026 10:01

You say you spoke to the guy manning the desk and he brushed it off………chances are, he has no idea. If you’re determined to know why then you need to take your enquiry higher up the management chain.
I’m not saying it’s right or wrong but concerns need to be based on facts surely? There could possibly have been an issue previously in the pool area and decision was made to monitor activity going forward.

PurpleNightingale · 30/03/2026 10:00

We visit a few pools and they all have cafes with large windows overlooking the pool, so I couldn't get very upset about this. The people in the cafe are usually relatives of swimmers waiting until they get out. My grandmother couldn't swim but spent many an afternoon in the cafe watching us swim with our grandad.

ValidPistachio · 30/03/2026 09:57

Imdunfer · 30/03/2026 08:01

Parents can and do watch lessons in person, though there isn't anywhere nice for them to do that, admittedly, they just have to stand by the pool or sit on the surround of the jacuzzi (plenty of space for that).

I guess that's probably why they've done it.

If I was using the jacuzzi, I don't suppose I'd appreciate being surrounded by fully-clothed parents sitting on the edge.

Myneighbourisanosyoldgit · 30/03/2026 09:53

So what happens when peeps go to the beach and swim? Open to the general public and can be seen by all, you don't know who's watching then. Or do 50% of the voters not go to the beach, or sit around a pool when on holiday because they might be seen?
I get the OP's concern but it is safer for parents to be away from the pool side to watch their kids, but anyone could be watching, even parents have been known to be abusers or watch kids. What is the answer ? I don't know, wish I did.

CautiousLurker2 · 30/03/2026 09:51

I am very body conscious and would feel uncomfortable - but then I feel that way on holiday etc. However, in this case, additional surveillance that means that children who are in trouble in the pool can be observed by onlookers and help obtained more quickly, and [because they are observed] actual pedophiles will be less able to actually molest children. To me it seems to be a good thing, as it will keep children safer. That has to outweigh sensitive body conscious mothers, surely?

PollyBell · 30/03/2026 09:50

Being in a costumie in or arounf the pool area is fine bit being seen in cafe on a screen is an issue?

How do you know people arent filming and putting it on social media themselves?

No i have no issue in this

AlongtheWall · 30/03/2026 09:48

I can see how this might be useful for some parents.

However what would worry me is what would stop someone from recording or photographing the screen? So this arrangement would make me uncomfortable.

Happyjoe · 30/03/2026 09:45

I'd hate it. And if on CCTV, it may be recorded too. There's a difference of friends and family watching their friend in the pool from the sidelines with a coffee to it being played on a screen imo.

ThisSnugLion · 30/03/2026 09:43

I don't think this is unreasonable at all. Especially as there's children in swim costumes. My main concern as a parent would be:

A) who's watching this footage live whilst tucked away in a cafe? - Yes when you take your children swimming or to a public place in their swimwear you risk them being seen by a pedophile, but In person at least I can keep an eye on others/surroundings/anything untoward (even if I can't prevent them being looked at). You can't see who's watching your kids on this screen unless you're also in the cafe.

B) Is this footage being stored and if so, what safeguarding procedure is there to stop it being shared/accessed by the wrong type of people?

I wouldn't be happy with this at all and would be raising it to the manager or moving my children out of that environment.

Moonlightfrog · 30/03/2026 09:42

It wouldn’t bother me, I am guessing it shows the whole pool? So it’s hardly zooming in on you in your swimming costume? I doubt anyone’s going to be staring at it whilst drinking their coffee….I know I wouldn’t. we have a huge viewing area next to our local pool, it has vending machines so people can drink coffee and eat snacks whilst watching the pool, I can’t see how this is much different

ElectoralControversy · 30/03/2026 09:40

CBA2RTFT · 30/03/2026 09:12

Of course it’s to do with safety!
Do you honestly think they installed it so that people can perve over the swimmers?

They will have monitored screens elsewhere, and the fact that there is a screen in the cafe means that not only can parents can watch their children, but and miscreants in the pool area may be dissuaded from bad behaviour as they will be spotted.

The one in our gym is 100% nothing to do with safety, it was to encourage parents to sit in the cafe and spend money.

Alpacajigsaw · 30/03/2026 09:38

I’m surprised at the comments. There are laws around CCTV and when it should be used. Definitely worth putting your concerns to the gym in writing.

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 30/03/2026 09:36

Imdunfer · 30/03/2026 08:25

I don't walk down the street in a wet swimming costume.

If you don't want to be seen in your swimming costume, don't go to public spaces. A commercial gym is not a private space.

You have no right to privacy except in the changing rooms and shower spaces.

CCTV doesn't allow the public to zoom in on you so there's very little focused image of you. Personally, if I were the sort to be worried, I'd be more worried about cameras where the viewers are not in public.

I think there's a level of paranoia/control here in your reaction that's worrying.

2026tricks · 30/03/2026 09:34

People say it’s not a safeguarding issue but there is no staff member where the footage is being played. Anyone could film it if they have the room to themselves.

I wouldn’t like it either OP. Put your concerns in writing, it’s harder for them to ignore.

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 30/03/2026 09:33

HoraceCope · 30/03/2026 09:27

the cctv would be better if the staff could see only

I’m guessing the purpose is to watch swimming lessons

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 30/03/2026 09:33

as a parent this would annoy me so much that someone complained if it got removed!
what difference does it make that someone is watching you in person vs a screen?

I just don’t think anyone is watching anyone on a screen like this in a dodgy way. We have it at my kids pool and you have to really pay attention to figure out which one is your own kid as it covers the whole pool.

Brightbluestone · 30/03/2026 09:32

If some creep really wanted to perv on people in swimsuits wouldn’t they actually go into the swimming pool? Much more intimate perving opportunities. Watching some low-quality cctv in a cafe is unlikely to cut it for them

HoraceCope · 30/03/2026 09:27

the cctv would be better if the staff could see only