We installed CCTV after a burglary but one neighbour objects: Can he force us to take them down?

Years ago, there were a handful of burglaries on my cul-de-sac. A.and we formed an informal residents’ association.

We all agreed that CCTV cameras were necessary, so I agreed to pay for and install them.

The CCTV system has worked well for over seven years and has been upgraded several times at significant cost. It now consists of 12 full high-definition cameras.

Police love CCTV and used evidence from cameras when incidents occurred.

However, a new tenant has recently moved into one of the houses on the road and is not happy with the cameras. He asked me to reset them so they wouldn’t record his house.

I said this was impossible. The police want the CCTV, we all get cheaper insurance and we never get burglarized again. But he says he has the right not to be filmed outside his home. Can we be forced to move or lower the cameras?

This is Money’s Jane Denton answers: The impact of the thefts on the local community cannot be ignored.

Official data published this week showed that one in 94 homes in one part of England was broken into last year, with many of these crimes sadly going unsolved.

CCTV installation is your right. But because they extend beyond the boundaries of your property, your neighbor may claim the cameras are intrusive, especially if they linger in private areas such as their garden or window.

Data protection laws apply to your neighbour. CCTV can capture images and sounds of other people, which is considered personal information.

From a legal perspective, your counter-argument will focus on the fact that the CCTV system has a legitimate use and is proportionate.

No matter what, it’s important to make sure the CCTV doesn’t capture more than it needs from your neighbor’s private areas.

I asked two legal experts for their opinions.

Joanne Ellis is a partner at Stephensons

Joanne Ellis, partner and dispute resolution expert at Stephensons, says: Based on what you’ve said, it’s understandable that this is causing some tension, especially since you’ve invested significant amounts of money into setting up this system.

There is nothing inherently illegal about installing CCTV in your home, even if it captures part of your driveway or neighboring properties.

However, when your system records beyond your own border, it falls under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

This means that you will take on certain responsibilities as a ‘data controller’.

In particular, you must have a legitimate reason for the cameras, ensure they do not capture more images than necessary, and be transparent about their use, generally displaying appropriate signage.

From what you’ve described, your system has a strong and legitimate justification.

Appearing after a series of thefts, he works to prevent crime and has previously assisted the police. These are all factors that will generally work in your favor if any challenges are encountered to your usage.

However, neighbors still have rights. If a person feels the cameras are intrusive they can raise concerns, ask what is being recorded or even complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office, but in my experience they are unlikely to take action under the circumstances you have stated.

Just because someone objects to cameras does not automatically mean that recording should be stopped, particularly where a clear and proportionate security reason exists.

The important thing is proportionality. The law does not require you to disable your system, but does expect you to take reasonable steps to minimize intrusions.

This may include adjusting angles where possible, using privacy masking features, and ensuring cameras are not unnecessarily focused on private areas such as windows or gardens.

In short, your neighbor cannot insist on complete exclusion of their property if it would undermine a legitimate security system.

But you must be able to show that your installation is justified, limited to what is necessary and operated responsibly.

Manjinder Atwal is director of housing and property litigation at Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Manjinder Atwal, director of housing and property litigation at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, says: Your neighbor has the right to raise privacy concerns, which are a concern for many people with the proliferation of cameras.

The legal question is not whether his home was visible on camera, but whether the recording was excessive or unreasonable.

If a camera is pointed directly at windows, gardens or private living spaces it has the potential to cause problems. If it captures only the frontage of a property as part of a wider streetscape, this is much less likely to breach the law.

There are some practical steps I would recommend you take now, especially at a time when disputes between neighbors can escalate quickly.

First, make sure cameras are positioned as narrow as possible and only record what is truly needed for security.

Modern systems often allow ‘privacy masking’, where windows or certain parts of the image can be digitally blocked. If this exists, it may be worth considering as a compromise.

Second, put up clear signs stating that CCTV is working. This is good practice and shows transparency.

Third, ensure that all images are stored securely, only kept for a reasonable period of time, and not indiscriminately shared on WhatsApp groups or social media. This is where many otherwise legal systems run into trouble.

Finally, try to keep your communications polite and realistic. Ignoring people’s concerns can inflame the situation and turn a manageable disagreement into allegations of harassment.

If your neighbor makes a formal complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office or takes legal action, the key issue will be whether your system is reasonable, proportionate and genuinely suitable for crime prevention.

Based on what you’ve described, you seem to be on relatively solid ground, provided the cameras are operated responsibly.