To be this cautious of my neighbours?

[magnificentblue]

NC for this because they’d definitely be able to tell it’s me.

I live in the middle of a little row of terraced houses. It is a quiet area and we never get any kind of trouble. My neighbours to the right of me (a couple) appear to be excessively security conscious. They have a German Shepard guard dog that barks at the tiniest sounds or movement in the day and at night (for probably about 50% of the time constantly) and it’s very aggressive. They have two CCTV cameras on the front pointing in the same direction as each other (neither at their door, never understood this) which I’m pretty sure cover some if not all of my front garden. We have a shared wide driveway and access to the back of the houses sort of going round from one end of the terrace. It’s so hard to explain the layout but most of us use it daily either in a car or on foot. They have a very inconspicuous tiny camera facing away from their house on their boundary wall of the shared driveway at the back. It covers the driveway and not any of their garden, gate or house. As far as I’m aware this is highly illegal as you cannot have CCTV that doesn’t cover your property. They do not have any signs stating they have CCTV and the one at the back is so hidden it would be hard for most people to notice. It’s also really close to me when I walk past so they would have a very clear close up image of everyone.

It makes me feel sick that I can’t have a private life. They know when I leave and exit my house, who is in it and when, even down to what supermarket I go to if they pay that much attention. I can’t even put the bin out without knowing they’re probably watching me. I have to cover my toddler with a blanket whenever passing the cameras because I don’t know who or what they might be. I don’t want someone to have images of my child. It’s got to the point where I don’t leave the house unless I really need to it’s awful. They are nosy busybodies and are at home all day every day. I can’t use my back garden because every time I go out there the wife watches me from their open bathroom window. They’re just so creepy I hate to imagine how many of us they watch and what is done with the footage.

Now some may think I’m being a bit over the top but they have exhibited very hostile and downright bizarre behaviour the whole time I’ve been here. I think it’s because I’m young (25). They’ve done stuff like cut down all the trees and kill the flowers in both my front and back garden when I was on holiday. They always stare me down until I leave their sight and give me horrific looks as if I killed their entire family. I have ironically never spoken to them apart from the generic first ‘you alright’ when moving in.

I have an email drafted to the correct authorities about the cameras. It’s gone past the point of being able to speak to them about it first. I just want the camera over the shared driveway to be removed so I can at least exit out my house one way and not been seen. Why can’t people just have respect for others privacy I’m so stressed and it’s not good for my little girl

Sorry x posted with the red lights.

And also people that have access to CCTV in businesses are usually always hopefully DBS checked and wouldn’t be doing anything untoward with footage of children.

I can access the CCTV at work (shoplifting etc.) and none of us are DBS checked.

There’s never been any break ins whilst I’ve been here and the road is a dead end next to factories so it’s always really quiet. They have a steering lock on their car so that’s enough surely if they’re concerned about that being stolen. No one else on the terrace has CCTV. I’ve looked back on google street view and it looks like they moved in 5 years ago. They didn’t have CCTV for the first 2 years until this house started getting rented out. Weird timing. The woman here before me was a young single mum to a toddler too. Maybe they’re intimidated by young people? Sorry I forgot to mention the one at the back was previously installed on their house so it covered my back garden for the first 6 months that I lived here. Not sure what made them move it.

I need to install one of my own, their dog dug a hole and urinated in my front garden the other day after I strimmed it. No respect whatsoever

I didn’t choose my neigbours? I only moved here just over a year ago I shouldn’t have to move because of who they are. The whole covering my child etc doesn’t matter it’s my child and I’ll control who has images of her as much as I can if I want to. As for my ex asking for footage he could be finding out about who I have relations with, what friends I have over etc. He can’t do that by taking pictures, it’s easier asking them than sneaking about my house waiting for me to bring my daughter outside? Would be a bit weird

So they installed the cameras before you even moved in and you don't know if they had a break in 3 years ago which could have triggered it?

The hostile looks and plant damage I find very unnerving.
I really wouldn't be comfortable with that at all.

The rest not so much.
We have cctv covering front garden, street, back garden and downstairs of the house.

We are getting a second dog at some point, some sort of 'guardian' breed, German shepherd, Rottweiler or similar.

You know nothing about these people.

We live in a quiet street also, others may well think the same about us.
What they don't know is we have been the victims of severe violence/intimidation in the past.
Bad enough to warrant a prison sentence...

I asked my other neighbours on the other side if they’ve ever had any trouble, they said they’ve been here 10 years not a peep. They don’t like the cameras either and only take their children out the front because they’re not covered by the cameras there. They would help me with complaints but they don’t want to get backlash from them which is understandable. I know it was them because my other neighbours told me. They said I asked them to do it for me whilst I went away. They just did it to be spiteful and take the wood from the trees for their log burner. They left me with all the leafy bits. Now my garden looks awful and dead it’s going to take years to get it back to how it was

I’ve been through DV and stalking and I don’t have CCTV. Mainly because it’s too expensive. I’m not grateful for the ‘security’ because it definitely hasn’t kept me safe. Now I’m going to say something, some may choose to not believe me as it sounds crazy to turn a CCTV thread into a DV one (can send evidence privately if people really wish) but when that happened to me the police requested the footage from the front and they claimed it didn’t work. This is either because the didn’t want to get involved or they had something to hide which made me think what are they using the cameras for? They heard me get brutally beaten almost to death multiple times and didn’t call the police. They said they heard everything when questioned. I know for a fact they had what I needed on their system to get my abuser for breaking the restraining order because the lights where on them later that night, my other neighbour told me that they said they were watching it and saw me crying on the pavement. The wife laughed. They have a screen with the live feeds they’ve been in her house once to give her some dog food or something. I’ve never resented two people so much in my entire life. They could have stopped so much hurt and abuse if they weren’t so petty. Lying to CID about evidence just despicable

I think taking it all in.. I think you need to go to the police. And tell them the following:

1. They trespassed in your garden when you were on holiday and damaged your property (trees and plants)
2. They watch you from their windows when you're in your back garden (can you get any evidence of this? Snap a pic from your phone quickly or something and make it look like you're taking a pic of your DD?
3. Their dog. Ruining your garden and barking.

As for the other 'no privacy' concerns, I think you're being a bit OTT. What you're suggesting is that they put up all the CCTV to monitor you and your DD and report back to your ex.. this seems a bit strange to me.. but there are stranger things in the world so who knows.
But just remember OP, you do have privacy.. you can do whatever you want in your own home, they can't see you in there. And they don't know where you go once you leave the house or who you are with or who you have over to your house..

Have you ever had any reason to believe that they are reporting back to your ex with pics of your DD? Or that your ex has asked them for reports on your activity or anything?

And also people that have access to CCTV in businesses are usually always hopefully DBS checked and wouldn’t be doing anything untoward with footage of children.

There are very strict rules on which jobs require a DBS check, and if the job isn't on that list, the person can't be DBS checked. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/674523/Guide_to_eligibility_v9.pdf It's also worth noting that DBS checks only work when someone has already offended, been caught, arrested, taken to court and convicted. It does nothing to prevent first time offenders. Jimmy Saville would have had a clean DBS check.

I don't, however, know what untoward purposes someone could have for footage of a fully clothed child in a buggy.

They’re definitely real and night vision ones, they light up red circles in the lenses

I'm not saying it isn't real, but even fake CCTV cameras often light up e.g. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Imitation-Surveillance-Camera-Lidl-Brand-Batteries-Including-same-day-dispatch/323322519522?hash=item4b47861fe2:g:dPkAAOSwjUxbNXPu

Okay.

Based on your updates your problem isn't security cameras and your problem isn't a territorial dog.

Your problem is your neighbours sound absolutely fucking batshit.
Stay the hell away from them, no talking, no eye contact and get your own security cameras and alarms would be my advice.

OP, after your updates...
I'm sure you've considered this before but how about moving?
If you get the police involved they may be able to help you?

Also, personally, unless you have a lot of evidence and are able to move if necessary, do NOT contact the police.

We made this mistake, the laws in this country are just too soft, we didn't have enough evidence and getting police involvement really amplified a nightmare situation.

I know you say you shouldn't move but I would consider it for your own mental health. Even if all the cameras are removed completely, you still aren't going to feel safe with these people as your neighbours.

my other neighbour told me that they said they were watching it and saw me crying on the pavement. The wife laughed. They have a screen with the live feeds they’ve been in her house once to give her some dog food or something.

Would this person be willing to go to the police as you neighbours lied to the police? If you could get them and the person who saw them destroying your plants to agree then this makes your case stronger.

Do you own your house or rent? Although I can understand you feel that you shouldn't need to move, personally I think I'd just move away. They're not going to change, you're not going to suddenly be at peace with the situation, so moving elsewhere would seem to be the least stressful solution.

I complained to the council about the dog and their behaviour they said it was a civil issue and to involve the police if I feel like I need to

This is a lie. The Council has a duty to investigate this as a potential 'statutory noise nuisance' under the Environmental Protection Act. Ask to speak to the Environmental Health Team

Op said they are distantly related to her DVex, so its not a giant leap to make the assumption that they might possibily be reporting back to her ex, given that they 1) lied about having any footage of or 2) seeing the DV incident whilst 3) others said they were watching and the 4) wierd wife who is always looking out the window at her was laughing at the scene.
I think you need to talk to the police or a solicitor OP and see what their advice is.
And keep a record/photos of things that make you feel uneasy. Then you'd have some expert advice and
there might be things you could do to safeguard your privacy.. eg add some high trellis to your existing fence on their side and at the back. Put some containers with small trees in, on your drive.

If you rent then I would say move. It's just not worth the stress and hassle, life's too short.

Okay.

Based on your updates your problem isn't security cameras and your problem isn't a territorial dog.

Your problem is your neighbours sound absolutely fucking batshit.

They heard you being beaten and did nothing? Thats horrendous. They sound bloody awful. I do think if you can move you should, if you can't then can you get cameras of your own installed. Sorry you have been beaten OP, thats just terrible and now I understand why you are so worried about their cameras.

If you rent, just start looking to move, and once you can do it, go. They aren't worth living next to and sound completly crazy. Find a better street to live on.

And also people that have access to CCTV in businesses are usually always hopefully DBS checked and wouldn’t be doing anything untoward with footage of children.

No they wouldn’t be dbs checked.

Well the simplest resolution to all this would be to move.

I really would just move. There is no happy resolution to arsehole neighbours and their connection with your ex just makes it worse.

It doesn't matter if you are in the right if the people you are up against don't give a shit about you or the rules.

Goodness you're neighbours are crazy! As PP said, please consider moving. I doubt going to the police/council will do anything, it can potentially aggravate the situation further, and it's unlikely they'll be able to do much. You need to remove yourself and your child from this situation, so when you're rental contract is up, please move.

Maybe they're filming the strange lady who makes her child walk around covered by a blanket?