Someone taking pictures through my kitchen window

[pollyerrington]

Morning :)

I've just had an alert on my phone from my security camera. Some guy has just come up to my house, trodden on my shrub area in front of the kitchen window, and it looks like he's taken a photo. He's then stood in my drive and gone on his phone (texting by the looks of it)
He was wearing a lanyard but I couldn't make out the name or company. I'm in a new build so we do have workmen around doing stuff, but why would they be taking a photo?

Photo attached - he looks kind of official...

It's stressing me out!

Any thoughts?
Thanks

@pollyerrington

You need a licence if you’re watching catch up. He’s either checking up on that, or possibly from the council or dwp, if you’re claiming any benefits.

Do you ever use BBC iPlayer OP?

From a quick google I think that's the threshold:

Do I need a TV Licence if I don’t watch the BBC?

•   <strong>*Yes</strong> – if you watch or record live TV on any channel, or through any provider.
  

•   <strong>*No</strong> – if you don’t watch any live TV and you only ever watch on demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer.
  

Unnerving people taking pictures I would be weirded out too. I think something like the TV license people is likely though.

@errolfinn - TV license website says I don't...
'You don’t need a licence if you only ever watch on demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer (and you also never watch live TV programmes on any channel, including on iPlayer).'

I thought you only needed a license for live broadcast?

WHY would the DWP be taking photos of her house ?
To my knowledge they don't do that .

They wouldn't be able to prove anything with a photograph, unless the OP is actually sitting in her kitchen watching BBC catch up on her TV/computer.

@pollyerrington
You're right, I stand corrected. You're fine as long as you've never used the BBC iPlayer website. I have to say I would be very unnerved by then taking photos through the window. I would check with your neighbors if they spoke to him at all

Looks like a baliff to me.

Overweight, stressed out and looking official, my bet is on TV license inspector. He wont be happy until you let him inspect your TV set-up

Theif was my first thought. I had several strange individuals hanging around outside our houses (cul de sac) always on the phone, sitting on walls etc and then finally three of us were burgled over 2 days and everyone acting strangely was conveniently gone too.

Tv licence would not take a photo through your window, I have a family member who's one and this is an absolute no

If th OP hasn't got an aerial as she says would she be able to watch live TV anyway?

WHY would the DWP be taking photos of her house ?

To see if she has a partner and is claiming she is single?

Could you see if the photo was taken at an angle like he was trying to see the window fastenings? I would put lots and lots of breakables and bottles, flowers, cleaning chemicals on the windowsill over the next few weeks.

You need a tv licence to watch catch up OP. I'd guess your property has been picked up by the van and they are doing extra checks

I get a lot of "threatograms" from the TV licencing. I don't need one. And have been visited by the DWP. (Vexatious report from bitter ex. I was cleared instantly) No one has EVER taken photos of my house. Afaik this is not a thing.

Either way, it's not ok. Can you zoom in and see what the lanyard says or is the picture not clear enough?

@evilmorty how would they tell I had a partner through a picture of my kitchen?! Plus I am single...

Have you baked a pie? Maybe he liked it.

1st of all you can go on to the tv licence website and declare you do not need a TV licence, this lasts for 2 years for you so go ahead and get that done today!

Second my first thought was bailiff/debt collector.

Did you see a car/van with any logo?

If th OP hasn't got an aerial as she says would she be able to watch live TV anyway?

Yes, you can watch live TV via iPlayer, 4oD and the ITV, Sky and Channel 5 apps too. Oh, and via NowTV.

I don’t know, I’m just guessing that that’s why they may be taking a photo. Maybe he’s looking for his and hers mugs

@70switch I tried zooming in but it's not clear at all. All I can see is that's it's a white lanyard. He also seems to be holding a second one (as it's hanging by his leg...

Are any properties near you extending? If so it could be a surveyor, architect, planning officer assessing impacts on your property. Making sure there is no loss of light to your kitchen window? A photograph is often the best way to record what is on the ground and show they haven’t missed it.

@Ditzandspritz you don't need a licence for catch up unless the catch up you are watching is on iPlayer.

If you don't watch live tv and don't watch bbc iPlayer you don't need a tv licence.

Very strange.. I'd phone the police and explain.. you don't know who this man is and no matter who he is he shouldn't be taking photos through your windows. The creep!!