Remove CCTV or not?

[NC03]

There's been a massive amount of previous issues with local kids for years. Stuff like banging on the windows, coming in my garden to bang on the patio doors, throwing stuff, usual anti social stuff

I have a CCTV camera which is inside on the windowsill facing out. Police advised it's fine and the building opposite also has CCTV and a massive sign
Predictably the kids don't like it, and despite the CCTV opposite and the fact you can't move without being filmed, are objecting to my camera (mooning, swearing, sticking fingers up etc)

Tonight I've just caught one saying he's going to smash that camera up one day and now (sorry this sounds ridiculous) I'm so scared my window will get smashed and I can't afford to fix it

Do I take it down or leave it up...

Seems like this threat is exactly why you need the CCTV

I just can't win
They hate the CCTV and dick about because of it, without the CCTV they cause the same amount of issues but I don't have any recordings of it

The irony is they've just walked up to the local shop which has indoor and outdoor CCTV but that isn't an issue? logical thinking isn't their strong point

leave the CCTV and ignore the kids. most of their threats are probably just showing off to each other. and if they do any damage, you need the cameras to know who did it.

Annoyingly they have caused real damage before - I had a lit firework put in which exploded and had to have new carpets and redecorate
Graffiti was another one
Bricks thrown at the window but luckily it didn't break because it caught the frame

keep the camera but eg put it in a bird box etc

I had an idea and realised it's got a green light showing it's on - covered that up today so hopefully they will think it's now turned off!

They're exactly the reason why you should leave the cameras up

You are doomed if you do and doomed if you don't. But if you leave your CCTV active, you have a chance of proving who has done the damage and it may deter prowlers in general who are not associated to the kids, so my vote goes to it staying.

I sympathise, I have a similar problem, but its my elderly neighbours and so I feel your pain!