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Camera overlooking garden

7 replies

GladiatorsFan · 21/02/2025 18:59

In Autumn last year our back door was broken into, whilst we were on holiday, and a number of items taken (our neighbours are aware of this). We had the door repaired (replaced) and installed an alarm system, with a reputable company who charge a hefty monthly fee. The alarm components are supplied, installed and maintained by this company.

Prior to our installation, unbeknownst to us, our party wall neighbour ours also had an alarm system installed by the same company. We have a poor relationship with this neighbour - they have a reputation of trying to throw their weight around.

On the recommendation of the three different alarm companies we spoke to, as well as the Met police officer who took us through the target hardening process, we had a camera installed in the back garden. This only triggers if a persons feet are within our garden, it’s on the opposite side to our party wall neighbours (we are in a terrace) and it does not trigger from the adjoining land.

Said neighbours are now sending us increasingly shirty emails demanding that we take the camera down, telling us that we have no right to record them and that there is no need for us to have a camera in the back garden. It categorically does not record them in their property - the camera is angled such that we could possibly see the top of his head if we were watching at the time he exited his house, but it does not trigger based on this. We can clearly demonstrate that we do indeed need this camera in its current location, as this is where we were broken into. There was also, coincidentally, an issue when we replaced the party fence (a joint instruction) where they trespassed into our property in pursuit of their dog, which they’d failed to put on a lead for the short duration our properties were open to each other.

Other than sending us a cease and desist letter, what can they actually do? They are not reasonable people and I’m reluctant to offer more information than absolutely necessary.

OP posts:
LemonPorkLasagna · 21/02/2025 19:03

If the camera doesn't record their property, ignore them.

If they continue with bullying you, call the police and report them for harassment.

steppemum · 21/02/2025 19:10

I am not a lawyer etc, but I would put clearly in writing that your camera only records things within your boundary, and does not over look their garden at all.
If necessary add a screen shot of the scope of the camera over your garden.

Then you have covered yourself by replying to their letter and clearly showing that the camera is not an issue.

Then you can ignore future letters

Geneticsbunny · 22/02/2025 09:15

Can you show them some footage to demonstrate that it doesn't record their property? Surely that will put the arguement to bed?

user9876543211 · 22/02/2025 11:26

Can't you send them a screenshot of footage taken from the camera to show them the area covered? That's what we did in a similar situation and everyone was happy.

GladiatorsFan · 22/02/2025 12:56

Thanks for the posters who suggested sending them some footage - I think it’s a good idea.

However, when we’ve attempted this sort of thing before the more information we’ve given them the worse it gets. They just find something else to focus on and it just tends to fuel the fire. They’d then use that footage to tell us we couldn’t xy and z other things

OP posts:
GladiatorsFan · 22/02/2025 12:57

I’m keen to know what recourse they actually have in this situation.

OP posts:
Geneticsbunny · 22/02/2025 16:00

They can legally ask to see your footage

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