CCTV CAMERAS

[stickyj]

I have decided to get one to catch the bastards that over the years have kept slashing my tyres. Anyone have any advice, recommendatiosn etc please? I have very little money and have just had enough now {sad]

When you put the cameras up you need to have signs saying that CCTV is in operation. Maplins might be worth a look for cameras.

I'm sorry to hear you are having problems, it is soul destroying when people mindlessly vandalise others' property.

Try www.y3k.com for a camera system. They supply to public as well as trade and if you phone them and explain what you want to achieve they will tell you what you need.

From your OP I think you will need 1 (maybe 2) outdoor cameras with IR (to see at night), a DVR to record the images, the associated cables and a warning sign that CCTV is in use.

You can buy the ready made cables which makes installation very simple. I would warn you against wireless cameras as they aren't very reliable.

The warning sign is to comply with the data protection act. It is very important. You cannot point the camera at a neighbourinf property, this is deemed to be violating their privacy. You can install CCTV systems at home that may capture public areas (pavement outside house for example) as long as the purpose of the system is to protect your home from burglary or damage. You must also not use the images for any other purpose (eg selling them to the media or uploading them on the internet).

I hope this is of some use. Please feel free to pm me if you'd like any more info. I hope you get it sorted soon. :)

I bought a combined security light and motion-triggered camera, costing about £100, after my car was vandalised 4 weeks in a row. It was faulty and I had it replaced by the company that fitted it, but the replacement was faulty too. :( The police said cameras "weren't worth having" if they cost under £400 or so, because cheaper ones don't work well, and the image quality is too poor to be used to identity anyone 'beyond reasonable doubt'.

I came to the conclusion that the only way I could protect my car from repeat vandalism would be if I moved house and/or kept it off road.

A bunch of my lovely friends also set up a very unsubtle 'watch' patrol one night (in bushes and other parked cars on the street ) and of course curtains twitched and word got round, and I had no further trouble after that. I think the perpetrator was deterred by the thought that I had friends looking out for me. :)

BTW, you have to put up a sign if your camera films outside your property, and in fact you are not technically allowed to film people on a public highway.

For a cheaper option, why not start by putting up a dummy camera and a CCTV sign. That might work as a deterrent.
Think you might need planning permission for a camera.

No you don't need PP. :)

You can film people on a public highway - totally legal. Do you mean just with CCTV?

Also can you not just make the cameras obvious? Might be enough to deter

Try Homemonitor from y-cam. Check with the data protection registrar regarding the latest rules on CCTV for home use.

I have several! Two on the drive covering both cars, a close up one for the porch, and two at the back.

I went to a specialist CCTV shop in Leeds and took their advice. We did this after my car was broken into.

The range of view only covers my own drive and nothing else, no neighbours properties etc. We installed them ourselves but then we are a bit DIY savvy.

I guess none of you will be surprised that there are actually no rules stopping you filming people in the street, but I was! I double-checked, because it was a police officer who told me I had to put up a sign and angle my camera so it didn't film the street, but he was wrong and you lot are right!
More info here and official IOC guidance here