Human Rights and CCTV

Originally written by Charlotte Walker-Olivier, updated by the editorial team on 4th April 2026

The use of CCTV in the UK, and its impact on human rights and civil liberties, regularly hits the headlines. Concerns are raised both about the number of CCTV cameras in the UK and the lack of regulation regarding their use. The UK’s coalition government have said that they intend to introduce a programme of government which sees greater protection for, and a restoration of, civil liberties in the UK. Amongst the areas they have said that they intend to address is an increase in the regulation of CCTV use.

If you believe your neighbour's CCTV is infringing on your privacy or other fundamental rights, you can use our free Rights Situation Checker.

UK – CCTV Nation?

Research conducted in 2002 suggested that there were 4.2 million CCTV cameras in the UK – equating to one CCTV camera for every 14 people. So startling was this statistic that it has been seized upon by critics of CCTV ever since. However, this figure was based on an extrapolation from a survey conducted in one area of London and now seems likely to be unreliable.

Comprehensive records of the number of CCTV cameras in the UK are not kept but a 2009 report suggested that the true figure for CCTV cameras in the UK is about 3.2 million. Whilst this represents a significant drop from the earlier estimate it is widely accepted as proof that the UK has more CCTV cameras than any other country in the world.

Who is Using CCTV?

The principal use of CCTV cameras may be by the police and other public authorities to combat crime and antisocial behaviour. However, private businesses – and even individuals – are increasingly turning to CCTV as a means of monitoring and protecting their property. Advances in CCTV technology have resulted in cameras that may have face recognition capabilities, allowing individuals to be picked out of a crowd from a database, or which can monitor for particular types of, suspicious, behaviour.

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Are CCTV Cameras a Deterrent?

Despite the advances in technology some remain sceptical about the efficacy of CCTV in reducing the level of crime. If cameras are everywhere people may become inured to them and they may lose their deterrent effect. In addition, the cameras must be constantly maintained in order for useful data to be produced by them. Firm evidence that the use of CCTV cameras in the UK has had a positive impact on crime figures has not been forthcoming.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Human Rights and the Use of CCTV

Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights concerns the right to family and private life. This includes the right to respect for an individual’s home and correspondence. The right contained in Article 8 is known as a qualified right which means that there may be circumstances in which some interference with it is justifiable. This right means that an individual has the right to the level of personal privacy which is compatible with a democratic society, taking into account the equivalent rights and freedoms of others. Any interference with this right by a public authority may be subject to a test of acceptability.

The state and public authorities are permitted to interfere with an individual’s Article 8 right to privacy if the interference has an obvious legal justification. Amongst other reasons, this could be because the interference is necessary to protect national security or for the prevention of crime. In addition to having a clear legal justification, the amount of interference with the right must be proportionate to the end result achieved and only go as far as is required to achieve that result.

Public authorities, including the police and local councils, must balance the benefits of using CCTV against an individual’s right to privacy.

CCTV and Data Protection

The problem for an individual’s personal privacy is that if a camera is installed by a private company or an individual to monitor their own property there is little legal protection for any individual being observed by it. Nonetheless, there may be issues regarding the use and storage of any images captured by the CCTV camera.

Data protection legislation governs the use of CCTV equipment and any data produced or stored by it. The Act is likely to apply if a CCTV camera is set up, in public place, to capture everything that passes in front of it. The owner of the CCTV equipment will have to comply with any relevant provisions of the Act. However, a householder who sets up a CCTV camera for purely “domestic purposes” may not have to comply with the Data Protection Act. The only recourse for an individual who feels they are being unreasonably targeted by such a CCTV camera – for example one belonging to an unfriendly neighbour - could be to make a complaint to the police about harassment.

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Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Rights Situation Checker lets you describe what has happened and find out which UK human rights protections apply and what you can do. Try it now →

55 questions

Ask About Human Rights a Question

AboutHumanRights Editor 17/05/2026 at 1:31 pm

@Dex Under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, you have the right to request CCTV footage of yourself from a convenience store by making a Subject Access Request. Put it in writing to the shop manager or owner, state the date, time and approximate location, and include a description of yourself or a photo to help them identify you. They have one month to respond and can't charge a fee in most cases. If they refuse without good reason, you can complain to the ICO.

Dex 13/07/2023 at 5:13 am

Requesting for private viewing to conviniet store

E 22/04/2023 at 12:18 am

Could someone let me know if it's legal for a company to install a camera that is able to look at my house and my bedroom window, and not sign anywhere that there is CCTV recording?

I feel uneasy being at or passing by my window in my bedroom fearing that I am being watched or worse recorded. The camera has the ability to turn and watch the street to the sides as well as the whole front of my house. It is right across the road not far and heigh enough to point to my 2nd floor window.
Is this an invasion of privacy? Can I do anything about it?

Barb 06/04/2023 at 2:28 pm

Can someone contact me please and advise me if there is a act under human rights that I can ask the police to remove a camera that’s placed directly outside my home looking into my property and the childrens bedroom windows, I am from the travelling community and the local police despise us have throughout the years at this address targeted my family and now there invading our privacy.
Please let me know if they would have had to inform the residents of the street before installing, as I have read elsewhere that you can object to the installation. Yet we were never informed. Can you put me in touch with someone who can advise and possibly help fight out case with us.

Thank you.

dk 22/11/2022 at 1:22 am

I own a drive where my neighbours have the right to pass through the drive to get to there parking space. This is the only rights they have as per our title deeds. They have since started an air bnb up and have put a camera over there garage which they said was to protect the clients cars. This is definately not the case as my children walk up and down the drive and the camera comes on and starts filming. They are well away from the camera when on our drive so they are filming our personal space which is private and which we own.
1. Are they allowed to have the camera in the first place on private property?
2.If they are should it not be positioned in such away that it doesnt violate our land ?

Hope to hear from you soon
D K

Roz 18/07/2022 at 8:51 am

In an effort to raise revenue, * Council have devised a one way system and erected cameras... one outside my house. The system has been rejected by residents and the cameras are set up so they can see who comes and goes from my house... how can I fight this?

Bee 09/07/2021 at 1:21 pm

I live on a quiet rural village green in a conservation area in Surrey Zealous local councillors who have money to spend have decided that the village green should be covered by CCTV . They are proposing to bolt the cameras to a heritage lamppost and film the open green and the access to our homes. A narrative of anti social behaviour has been created to justify this. My neighbours and I are mystified by the claims of wrongdoing, as it is the opposite of our experience which is that there is little or none and feel that 24hour surveillance is not justified. The guidance says there must be a ‘pressing need’.

Questions:
1. Can I demand the Councillors publish the crime rates for the village green? Eg the number of times the police have been called to incidents in the past year.
2. Can I and my neighbours bring an action under the Human Rights Act. against the Council if those statistics show that there is no problem with anti social behaviour.

tabtab 21/04/2021 at 3:49 pm

My sons class (he is 6 years old with special needs) has installed cameras with audio and visual and the cameras are running all the time- we have been told its to protect teachers if an accusation is made - is this right?

She 14/03/2021 at 11:07 pm

Hi my neighbour has put up a cctv camera its pounting right at my sons door also my door they can record us going to & from our houses also one in back garden which is over look8ng my sons garden plus my garden what can we do about it please they will have all our identities surely this is illegal police dont do nothing niether do council not fair that they can get away with this no cctv stickers warning passers by that they are in a area where cctv is recording so therefor everyone that comes into the street will be recorded thanks She

Mads 01/02/2021 at 10:10 am

My ex partner, who I currently still share a house with, has put up cctv from his bedroom covering the front of our property. Firstly I am not sure that this is following all of the guidelines that are required for these systems as I believe it has a view beyond our boundary and I don’t want to be held accountable for any breaches of data protection. Secondly, I feel this is a breach of my privacy rights as he will be monitoring my movements and those of our daughter, who he doesn’t speak to. There was no discussion about this or information given regarding this. Advice would be very welcome.

Sen 01/11/2020 at 6:53 am

My neighbours use a thing called a RIV light blocks my CCTV from picking up any images the police say it is not illegal it also interferes with my Wi-Fi how is it not a legal ?

Rop 02/10/2019 at 9:26 pm

If you’re employer is carrying out surveillance which is they are looking for people not clocking in and out for their tea breaks which sum people new but they also found something else can they use the evidence or not

Farmking 26/08/2019 at 3:26 am

Neighbour at number 7 Tre Pol TRELOWETH
Near St Austell
Cornwall
Who owns his property
Has a small CCTV Outside of the bedroom window facing
My mums garden
Community grounds I.E bit of green where small children play which belongs to I do believe Cornwall ocean housing. Now I do also believe that this is illegal and in breech of privacy all tho he has cctv sticker warning but is only 1x camera has had no problems with any criminal damage to his home or property

Ronx 25/08/2019 at 9:51 am

After complaining about vandalism to my bike, and to constant noise from neighbours above.. their landlord fitted camera in hallway pointed at my door
The noise has continued and now I feel trapped and victimised,..
I've been flooded twice from above.. politely complained about noise several times.. and now the letting agency puts the phone down on me.. surely someone can do something for me????
I'm feeling ill from all this... really ill

Sarah 11/08/2019 at 2:24 pm

My next door neighbor has 5 cameras at the front of his house one with a security light is that no limit on how many you can have on your house or any law we are constantly being watched by directions

Shadgrind 16/07/2019 at 12:23 pm

I as a Tennant, have been asked to take down CCTV trained on the washing line in a communal area. My neighbour has complained as her grandchildren play out there. I put up the camera after we were fairly sure the same neighbour has been stealing certain items of my partners clothing. The Housing Association don’t care about the theft they are only interested in these kids, who we also believe have been picking individual flowers and snapping others.

Surely, it would be of interest to the HA to find out the perpetrator of these, petty offences, rather than stop me recording from 8pm to 8am?

Debz229c 08/07/2019 at 1:51 pm

New build has installed camera for their garden area but it is right in line with my bedroom window!

Chazza 07/06/2019 at 10:17 pm

My neighbours put a CCTV camera smack bang pointing at my house and parks his car on my white line the other side of the road that I rent with the property my car is too wide to get in the gap so I park my car on the dropped Kurb (white line) can anyone help me on some advice before I take matter in to my own hands because iv asked him not to park there and he carries on doing it!!
I pay for parking at any of my old properties for Security on my car and child safety for when he gets out my car.
Cheers

yoxie 16/05/2019 at 10:45 am

My Neighbouring landlord has installed cctv in our back yard over looking mine and two other neighbours Communal garden He asked no permissions or hasn't put sighn up.. The land Lord of this property does not even live here her rents it out.. Surely hes not allowed to do this...

paulie 13/05/2019 at 9:45 am

my neighbor has put 2 CCTV cameras in. one above the front door and one above behind the front door, to me this is a communal area, has there are other rental residents that live there. were has he has bought and renovated the ground floor flat.
now there hasent been any discussions on them being fitted they were put in with out this. now this to me has it is very annoying has it infringes on the other residents privercy on comings and goinge from the house. what are the residents rights on this matter please help

Rockey 06/03/2019 at 1:43 pm

Cctv in public toilets in south east London Lewisham Molesworth Street there is public toilets in them are cctv watching you go to the toilet the law says no cctv should be in public toilets this is peeping Tom on the public you have no privacy for yourself when you have big brother above you going to the toilet you get young kids useing them the community who has had cctv stalled in them would they like to be watched in there properly

Rockey 06/03/2019 at 12:32 pm

In south east London Lewisham Molesworth Street got public toilets in are cctv watching you going to the toilet the law says no cctv should.t be in public toilets this is peeping Tom on the public you get young kids useing them have cctv going into the toilets and comeing out but not in the toilets wear the public go for privacy

Emily 28/02/2019 at 8:56 pm

Leeds city council and Gough & Kelly CCTV, made five years of my life hell!! Know the manager from college some warned me he was behind the odd stalking situation around leeds and york.
They had some strangers, students following me around on some bizar candy camera situation, with bully ambulance and racist cops following me around as well, triggering off their sirens to let me know they were watching me on cctv and following me as well, if i spoke to a man about ducks in a river a siren could be heard, if i texted my related "im going to report gough & kelly cctv" police sirens would be heard in the distance the coincidences have turned into five years of hell, im not doing anything wrong they are! It stems from a police report i made against some transport police being abusive and discriminant. Half the city center of leeds have since been involved in the hate campaign to force me out of leeds, they even did this in stores, hospitals, when I reported this matter to British CCTV Comissionair, tony porter, he posted on twitter " I like to let members of the public know they are being watched" that was his arogant response.

Winston Smith 10/09/2018 at 4:39 pm

The apartment block where I live has security cameras fitted on all doors and externals. The signs say they are used to "protect the building". Photos have appeared of a resident entering the build with a bicycle which is prohibited and photos of the resident (not easily identifiable) have been posted to 'shame' the resident or get another resident to name the party. Is this within the remit of the managers to 'police' slight internal activities which it seems a far stretch to say were endangering the building or residents in any way?

Ottob666 25/07/2018 at 8:11 am

I’ve had CCTV for years including a ring doorbell, my landlord has used my CCTV to get a conviction of an arsonist and eviction. I moved, same landlord, my neighbour hit my cat with a hose, they refuse to look at it or listen to two events, they demand I take the cameras down as they look at a communal area, my car, as well as my window or the will go for possession. I do have a voluntary license with the ICO

Ritchie 30/05/2018 at 8:28 pm

I have just come off the phone with the local police after having reported a neighbours camera pointing into my back garden. They have basically said that there is nothing they could do and said that I would have to go down the civil route. This is the second time I have reported this to them and the first time the neighbour was asked to move it but never has done so. As I don't sit on a mountain of cash I doubt that this is a viable option due to the potential cost. Does this mean that I just have to put up with this.

AboutHumanRights Editor 11/05/2018 at 3:43 pm

Whereabouts are the vans situated? Is this private land? Are there signs to say CCtv is in operation?

Virgius 10/05/2018 at 4:56 pm

Company instaling cameras inside the vans,to watch us,are they right to do so????

Liz 07/03/2018 at 9:55 pm

I'm having the same problem with my neighbours cctv ... the CCTV code of practice changed in 2017 and householders are no longer exempt from the DPA if their cctv extends beyond the boundaries of their own property. However I have reported this to the police who won't even come and check his cctv (as they have no powers to do so) and the so-called experts in the police force are still citing outdated guidance on 'domestic use' of cctv. I have also reported my neighbour to the ICO but I don't know how long it'll be before they look into it and in the meantime myself and my two children are under 24 hr surveillance on our own property!!

AboutHumanRights Editor 09/02/2018 at 12:07 pm

You can ask your local police force if they will pop round and check the siting of the cameras.

Jackie78 08/02/2018 at 4:49 pm

My neighbour has installed cctv cameras around their house but one looks like it's pointing straight into my kitchen. Surely this isn't legal. Is there anyone I can go to

AboutHumanRights Editor 24/10/2017 at 10:52 am

You can check with the Information Commissioner's office to see whether your neighbour has a licence if he is capturing CCTV footage beyone his own property boundaries. The police may also be able to come and check the siting of the cameras and ask the neighbour to remove them if they are infringing your privacy.

Scotte 21/10/2017 at 12:45 pm

My neighbour in the block of flats i live in put a brick through my window and following this had the nerve to i stall CCTV around the block which is s social housing property. On of his cameras he put facing down into my garden my social landlord says there's nothing they can do? What rights do i have, this camera observes me going about my business, i feel very venerable.

AboutHumanRights Editor 20/09/2017 at 12:46 pm

As long as you're aware of the CCTV and it's only in communal areas then there's not a great deal you can do about. It will have been installed for safety and security purposes. CCTV should not be in changing rooms or toilets.

denzc 19/09/2017 at 9:12 pm

I live in apartment building and there are cctv everywhere the elevators ,the pool, exersize area I don't want to be recorded. What are my rights.

Chrissy 07/07/2017 at 4:56 pm

My brother is considering carrying a mini camera around at home to protect from domestic abuse by his wife. Is this legal?

AboutHumanRights Editor 28/06/2017 at 11:15 am

Probably not because you can the see what's going on around you anyway.

Angie 26/06/2017 at 6:06 pm

Arriva Yorkshire have just upgraded some on their buses and they are now displaying the on board CCTV via a large screen on the upper deck. The driver informed me they are rolling this particular upgrade out to all Arriva buses. Is this not a privacy issue?

Topcabby 25/05/2017 at 1:50 pm

I was informed by my local pub landlord that he is recording conversations on his CCTV system. Is this legal?

AboutHumanRights Editor 03/03/2017 at 2:19 pm

Check with your local council about the rules for this, or how they will work. It maybe that the cameras only operate when your fare calculator is switched on??

Melanie 01/03/2017 at 7:48 pm

I am a private hire driver. My local authority has deemed that we all install CCTV. To their specification. They must record front and rear, cannot be turned off by the driver and be connected to the vehicles electronics. My ph vehicle is also my private vehicle, so I think my personal privacy is being infringed.

Dee 09/02/2017 at 7:44 pm

Hi I got a call from my son's school today saying he hit a teacher today and had i be restrained my son's story and the teachers story are very different I've asked to watch the cctv and they've told me i can in case other children are on there my son states no other child were round do i have the right to see whathappened with my son

Jaimattie 05/02/2017 at 9:38 am

My son has been dismissed. He worked for a private company in a shop where the use of cctv is used for the monitoring of crime. No impact assessment has been carried out with staff and there is no company policy except a privacy policy which says we will protect your data. One day his manager came in and decided to view a months worth of cctv and saw my son arriving late and early, out of uniform, other staff arriving late and the shop floor unmanned. Photo stills were taken as evidence. We have made a Sar request for the cctv footage and they have not produced it. They purposely waited 3 weeks to pursue disciplinary proceedings and the footage is automatically deleted after 32 days.

AboutHumanRights Editor 13/12/2016 at 2:42 pm

It's probably not a cause for concern, but if you feel the neighbour's camera is capturing your everyday movements, you should mention it to your local police or police community support officer. They do have powers to ask to look at the cameras and their siting and can request that they are re-positioned.

Geoff 12/12/2016 at 11:13 pm

I live at home with my two younger sisters and my mother who works long hours, therefore she isn't always home and neither am I. My neighbour lives on his own and has cameras on the front and back of his house which light up as you walk past. He also has a dog barking effect to any movement at the front of the house and a camera on his car. I am beginning to feel intimidated by the fact he knows when we are in or out of the house all the time. I understand he may feel more secure with the cameras but considering we do not live in an exactly well off area it is worrying. Is their cause for concern?

AboutHumanRights Editor 07/09/2016 at 11:11 am

This depends on the location. Why was a customer in a staff only area?

Steve 06/09/2016 at 9:10 am

A work colleague is about to be disciplined following a customer complaint. The customer had a dash cam running in his car while the car was in a staff only area (workshop) the colleague was picked up swearing by the dash cam and the customer has lodged a formal complaint leading to disciplinary action. Is the recording of the colleague without their knowledge or permission illegal?

Seoulover 24/07/2016 at 9:57 pm

I have been going to a local supermarket in my area ever since I was a child. They have only recently started scrutinising me and sending the Security guard to follow me around the store. I often see him talking in his walkie-talkie about my whereabouts like I'm some sort of suspected criminal. I have no doubt that they record me and ensure that all CCTV footage of me is being monitored. Someone please tell me what I should do because I know that I have done nothing wrong, and I would stop going there but I can't because the only make up products that I can use are from that store. Help please!!!

seoul 27/03/2016 at 1:03 pm

When I made civil complaint a year ago on the discontent of security staff of a department store in Korea, I am confident they revenged me by posting my CCTV face recognition nationwide.

When I requested confirmation and help to some local police stations, they told me “it’s nonsense. Such thing could not happen” and some told me “we cannot help you because you are not in an urgent situation.”
Police station said to me that I had to bring evidences to file my case. They linked information to integrated control center to track me and to show unpleasant behavior and expression to me.
After a year of anger and frustration, I went to Japan for leisure and business purpose. They seem to deliver my information to them. And, I am sure that they put my face recognition to Australia and Singapore when I went to Australia via Singapore.

For that reason, I ask your help.
When I visit you, I am sure they will spread out my information there too. Could you give me evidence of distribution of my information for report purpose?

big al 03/12/2015 at 7:43 pm

hello I live in as block of flats and the managing company put in ccvtv cameras against our wishes they have one that is facing the front door of old couple in there 80s which is disturbing for them as they are on the camera whenever tthey or any visitors come or go from the flat they are a harmless couple and do not deserve to be spied on in such a way can you advise on any action that could be taken to get it moved

AboutHumanRights Editor 12/10/2015 at 1:58 pm

As long as you are aware of the cameras and their purpose this should not contravene any rights you have. CCTVs should not be used areas where you normally expect privacy - such as in changing rooms or toilets except under exceptional circumstances.

Rman 11/10/2015 at 5:01 pm

I am working at the private school. The school president implemented the installations of cctv camera in our school. Hallways, corridors and gates were installed by surveillance camera. Even the the faculty rooms were also installed by this camera for the purpose that she wants see the action of each employee every time of the day. Does it serve the purpose? Does it violate our rights to privacy? No one can voice out about the matter because we all fear our school president. Is there any law in the Philippines that doesn't fit this act that violates our human rights. All of us were bothered because we can't even act naturally in our workplace. Any comment please.

An on 24/05/2015 at 1:10 pm

I'm hoping someone can help clear something up for my partner. It relates to CCTV use in a public area. The monitors he has to watch are part of a large supermarket chain but his station has been moved placing it in the middle of a high foot traffic area where anyone can see the monitor and see what he is watching. This seems really very wrong to me and he has received several complaints from members of the public. Are his managers allowed to do this as they have no idea about security anyway and always just do as they please! Thank you.

AboutHumanRights Editor 19/12/2014 at 11:23 am

@Ells. Do you have proof that they were actually filming/photographing you? If you are worried ask them about it, then contact the police if you are not happy.

ells 18/12/2014 at 9:19 pm

My neighbour has been videoing me while I have been in my front garden and also has taken photos of me while I was in my back garden. Are they allowed to do this?

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