Can My Neighbour’s CCTV Point at My Garden? UK Privacy Rules Explained

Home CCTV, smart doorbells and other security cameras are now common across the UK.

They can provide reassurance and help homeowners protect entrances, vehicles, sheds and other parts of their property. Problems can arise, however, when a camera appears to point beyond the owner's boundary and towards a neighbouring garden.

If you can see a camera facing your patio, lawn or back door, it is understandable to wonder whether your neighbour is allowed to record you.

The legal position is more nuanced than simply saying that filming a neighbour's garden is either allowed or prohibited.

A domestic security camera can sometimes legitimately capture a limited area outside the owner's property. Once it does so, however, the person operating it has additional responsibilities under data protection law.

This guide explains the current position, what rights you may have, what responsible CCTV use looks like and the practical steps available if you are uncomfortable with a neighbour's camera overlooking your garden.

Can My Neighbour Legally Point CCTV At My Garden?

The fact that a camera captures part of your garden does not automatically make the camera unlawful.

Homeowners often have legitimate reasons for installing CCTV, such as protecting:

• Their house
• A driveway
• A vehicle
• A shed
• A gate
• A garden

Sometimes it is difficult to position a camera so that it captures only the owner's property.

The important distinction is whether the system records exclusively within the owner's private domestic boundary or also captures areas beyond it.

If it captures people or property beyond that boundary, data protection law applies to the recording.

When Does Data Protection Law Apply To Home CCTV?

If a home CCTV system only records activity within the owner's private domestic property, the ordinary household exemption generally means data protection rules do not apply in the same way.

The position changes if the system captures images or audio beyond the property boundary.

This could include:

• A neighbour's garden
• A neighbour's house
• A shared driveway
• A communal hallway
• A pavement
• A public road

Images of identifiable people are personal information. Recorded voices can also be personal information.

Once a camera captures those areas, the person operating the system has responsibilities concerning why the information is being collected and how it is handled.

Does My Neighbour Need My Permission To Record Me?

Not necessarily.

Your consent is not normally required simply because you appear in footage from a domestic security camera.

A homeowner may have a legitimate reason for recording a limited area beyond their property, particularly where this is necessary to protect their home, family or belongings.

However, having a legitimate security reason does not give someone unrestricted permission to record neighbouring property.

The camera operator should still consider whether:

• The recording is actually necessary
• The camera captures more than is needed
• The intrusion into other people's privacy is proportionate
• The field of view can be reduced
• Privacy masking can be used

Can A Security Camera Deliberately Record A Neighbour's Garden?

A camera operator should try to minimise unnecessary recording outside their own property.

There is a significant difference between a camera that incidentally captures a small section of neighbouring land while protecting a gate and a camera positioned primarily to observe activity in somebody else's garden.

If the owner can achieve their security objective without recording your property, repositioning the camera or applying a privacy mask may be a more proportionate arrangement.

Current guidance specifically encourages CCTV users to consider camera position and privacy filters where neighbouring property would otherwise be captured.

What Responsibilities Does A Home CCTV Owner Have?

Where CCTV captures people outside the owner's private domestic property, the operator should comply with relevant data protection requirements.

In practical terms, this includes:

• Having a clear reason for using the CCTV
• Capturing no more information than is reasonably necessary
• Making people aware that CCTV is operating
• Keeping recordings secure
• Restricting access to footage
• Regularly or automatically deleting footage that is no longer required
• Responding appropriately to requests from people recorded by the system
• Considering objections from people being recorded

The operator is responsible for the footage their system creates.

Does My Neighbour Need A CCTV Sign?

Where the system captures areas beyond the owner's property boundary, current ICO guidance says people should be informed that CCTV is operating, for example by displaying a sign.

Government guidance also encourages householders to be transparent by informing neighbours and displaying a notice that recording is taking place.

A sign does not make otherwise excessive surveillance acceptable, but it forms part of operating a system transparently.

Does My Neighbour Have To Tell Me About Their CCTV?

Responsible domestic CCTV use involves transparency.

Government guidance recommends informing neighbours about a system where they may be affected and displaying a notice indicating that recording is taking place.

A conversation before installation can prevent many disputes.

For example, a neighbour may be able to show that the camera only records their gate, despite appearing from your garden to point directly towards you.

Can I Ask What My Neighbour's CCTV Can See?

Yes.

This is often the most useful first step in a CCTV dispute.

The physical direction in which a camera appears to point does not necessarily show its actual field of view.

You could ask:

• Whether your garden appears in the footage
• What part of your garden is visible
• Why that area needs to be recorded
• Whether audio is being captured
• Whether privacy masking is enabled
• Whether the camera can be repositioned

The answer may reveal that the intrusion is much smaller than it appears.

What Is CCTV Privacy Masking?

Many modern CCTV systems allow areas within the camera's field of view to be digitally blocked or obscured.

For example, a camera might need to face towards a rear gate but also have part of a neighbouring patio within its wider view.

A privacy mask can potentially block the neighbouring area while leaving the gate visible.

This can be an effective compromise because the homeowner retains useful security coverage without unnecessarily recording neighbouring activity.

Can I Ask My Neighbour To Reposition Their CCTV?

Yes.

If you believe a camera records more of your property than necessary, asking for it to be repositioned is reasonable.

Explain specifically what concerns you.

For example:

• The camera appears to cover your patio
• It points towards your back door
• It records an area where your children regularly play
• You believe audio is being recorded

It is usually more productive to explain the precise privacy concern than simply demand that the camera be removed.

Does My Neighbour Have To Move Their CCTV If I Object?

Not automatically.

You can object to the use of your personal information, but an objection does not necessarily mean that the camera owner must stop recording immediately.

They should reconsider whether recording you remains justified.

If they have a strong legitimate reason for continuing, such as protecting an area that has experienced crime, some recording may remain justified.

If they cannot justify capturing your property, they should stop recording that area or reposition the camera.

Can I Request CCTV Footage Of Myself?

Yes, where data protection law applies.

You can request a copy of CCTV footage in which you appear. This is commonly known as a subject access request.

It can also be practically useful during a dispute because it may establish what the camera actually records.

When making a request, provide enough information to identify the footage, such as:

• The approximate date
• The approximate time
• Where you were
• A description that helps identify you

In most cases, the CCTV operator should respond to a request for personal information within one calendar month.

Can I Ask My Neighbour To Delete CCTV Footage Of Me?

You can request deletion of footage containing your personal information.

This is sometimes referred to as the right to erasure.

It is not necessarily an absolute right in every situation.

There may be legitimate reasons why particular footage needs to be retained, for example where it relates to a security incident.

Explain why you want the footage deleted when making the request.

Can I Object To My Neighbour Recording Me?

Yes.

You can tell the CCTV owner that you object to the use of your personal information and explain why the recording affects you.

The operator should then reconsider whether continuing to capture you is justified.

If there is no legitimate reason for continuing the recording, they should stop recording you or alter the camera arrangement.

Is Recording Audio Different From Recording Video?

Audio deserves particular attention because it can be considerably more intrusive than simply recording an image.

A security camera may need to see a gate or driveway to perform its intended purpose, but recording conversations taking place beyond the property can be much harder to justify.

If you are concerned about a neighbouring camera, it is reasonable to ask whether its microphone is enabled.

Camera owners should also ask themselves whether audio recording is genuinely necessary for their security purpose.

Can A Video Doorbell Record My Property?

The same basic principles can apply to video doorbells.

A doorbell camera may inevitably capture:

• A pavement
• A shared path
• Part of a driveway
• Visitors approaching neighbouring homes

If it records people beyond the user's private domestic property, the relevant data protection responsibilities apply.

The fact that the camera is contained within a doorbell rather than a conventional CCTV unit does not remove those considerations.

What If The Camera Only Shows A Tiny Part Of My Garden?

Context matters.

Capturing a small strip of neighbouring property while monitoring a genuine security risk is different from continuously viewing a neighbour's seating area.

The questions to consider include:

• Why is that part of the garden being recorded?
• Can the security purpose be achieved without it?
• How intrusive is the view?
• Is the recording continuous?
• Is audio also captured?

A limited overlap is not automatically unlawful simply because it crosses the boundary.

What If The Camera Points At My Patio?

A patio can be a particularly sensitive area because people reasonably use it for private domestic activities.

If a camera clearly records your seating or dining area, it is worth asking why that field of view is necessary.

Possible solutions include:

• Repositioning the camera
• Reducing its viewing angle
• Using a privacy mask
• Turning off unnecessary audio recording

A practical adjustment can often preserve your neighbour's security while reducing the intrusion into your garden.

What If The Camera Points At My Back Door?

Again, ask what the camera actually records.

A camera may appear to point at your back door while its effective field of view stops short of your boundary.

If the footage does include your door and there is no obvious reason why recording that area is necessary, ask whether the view can be adjusted.

What If CCTV Records My Children?

Seeing a camera facing an area where children play can understandably cause concern.

Start by establishing what the camera actually records and why.

A security camera that incidentally captures part of a neighbouring garden is not automatically being used to monitor children.

However, if you believe someone is recording a child inappropriately, current ICO guidance advises contacting the police.

Can My Neighbour Use CCTV To Harass Me?

CCTV can form part of a wider neighbour dispute, but a camera pointing towards your property does not by itself necessarily establish harassment.

Current ICO guidance notes that the police are unlikely to regard ordinary CCTV recording alone as harassment without other misconduct.

The wider circumstances matter.

Potentially relevant behaviour could include a broader pattern of:

• Threats
• Intimidation
• Repeated unwanted conduct
• Deliberate targeting

If CCTV forms part of a wider pattern of harassment or threatening behaviour, consider seeking appropriate legal advice or contacting the police.

What If My Neighbour Is A Tenant?

If direct discussion does not resolve the problem, their landlord may be another possible route.

This may be particularly relevant where the camera is installed on:

• Rented property
• Housing association property
• Local authority housing

There may also be tenancy conditions affecting alterations to the property or equipment installed in communal areas.

What If The CCTV Records A Shared Area?

A communal or shared area falls outside the purely private domestic space of the camera owner.

Examples include:

• Shared hallways
• Communal gardens
• Shared access paths
• Communal parking areas

Recording identifiable people within those spaces engages data protection considerations.

The operator should be able to explain why the recording is necessary and should minimise unnecessary intrusion.

How Long Can A Neighbour Keep CCTV Recordings?

There is no sensible reason to retain ordinary domestic security footage indefinitely simply because storage space is available.

Current ICO guidance says footage should be deleted regularly or automatically.

The appropriate retention period depends on why the footage is being collected.

If nothing relevant has happened, routine recordings should not simply accumulate without purpose.

Footage connected with a genuine incident may need to be retained for longer.

Does My Neighbour Have To Keep CCTV Footage Secure?

Yes, where data protection rules apply.

The operator should protect recordings from inappropriate access or disclosure.

This means considering security around:

• Camera accounts
• Cloud storage
• Recorders
• Passwords
• Mobile applications

Footage should only be accessible to people who genuinely need access to it.

Can My Neighbour Share CCTV Footage Of Me?

Footage containing identifiable people is personal information where the relevant data protection rules apply.

A CCTV operator should therefore think carefully before sharing recordings and should have an appropriate reason for doing so.

Providing relevant footage to the police following an incident is very different from casually distributing recordings of neighbours.

Can My Neighbour Put CCTV Footage Of Me Online?

Publishing footage introduces additional privacy concerns and should not be treated casually.

The fact that a homeowner lawfully recorded something for security reasons does not automatically mean unrestricted public sharing is appropriate.

If identifiable footage of you has been published and you believe your rights have been infringed, consider raising the matter directly and seeking appropriate advice where necessary.

What Should I Do If My Neighbour's CCTV Overlooks My Garden?

A sensible first approach is to establish the facts.

1. Identify the concern. Work out which part of your property you believe is being recorded.
2. Speak or write to your neighbour. Explain the concern clearly and calmly.
3. Ask what the camera records. Its actual field of view may differ from its apparent direction.
4. Ask why that area needs to be recorded. There may be a legitimate security reason.
5. Ask about privacy masking. Modern systems may allow your property to be blocked from the footage.
6. Ask whether audio is enabled. Audio recording may be more intrusive than necessary.
7. Suggest a practical adjustment. Repositioning the camera slightly may resolve the issue.

Many CCTV disagreements can be resolved without formal complaints when both neighbours understand what is actually being recorded.

What Should I Put In A Written CCTV Complaint To My Neighbour?

If a conversation has not worked, a short written request can create a clearer record of the issue.

Include:

• Which camera concerns you
• Which part of your property you believe it records
• Why the recording concerns you
• Whether you want confirmation of the camera's field of view
• Whether you are asking for repositioning or privacy masking
• Whether you are objecting to being recorded

Keep the request factual.

Making accusations about someone's motives without evidence is unlikely to help resolve the problem.

Can I Make A Subject Access Request To My Neighbour?

Yes, if their CCTV captures your personal information and the relevant data protection rules apply.

You can ask for a copy of footage in which you appear.

This can sometimes be a useful way to establish precisely how much of your garden is being recorded.

Make the request specific enough for the operator to identify the relevant footage.

Can I Complain To The ICO?

Yes.

The Information Commissioner's Office deals with complaints concerning data protection rights.

It can consider complaints where someone believes a domestic CCTV user has failed to comply with those responsibilities.

It is normally sensible to raise the issue with the camera owner first and keep a copy of your correspondence.

Will The ICO Make My Neighbour Remove Their Camera?

Do not assume that an ICO complaint will result in a camera being taken down.

The ICO's current guidance specifically explains that, in most instances, it cannot or will not:

• Remove somebody's CCTV camera
• Force somebody to reposition or remove it
• Retrieve footage on your behalf
• Force the owner to delete recordings
• Take court proceedings on your behalf

The ICO can consider data protection complaints and respond according to its complaints framework, but its role should not be confused with a general neighbour-dispute service.

Should I Contact My Local Council?

A domestic CCTV privacy complaint is primarily a data protection issue rather than something automatically dealt with through ordinary council planning enforcement.

A council may become relevant in particular circumstances, for example where:

• Social housing is involved
• The property is rented from the council
• Other forms of anti-social behaviour are alleged

For the data protection aspects of domestic CCTV, the ICO is the specialist regulator.

Should I Contact The Police?

Ordinary disagreement about a neighbour's security camera is not automatically a police matter.

Police involvement may be appropriate where the CCTV forms part of more serious behaviour, such as:

• Threats
• Harassment involving other conduct
• Intimidation
• Suspected inappropriate recording of a child
• Other criminal behaviour

If the issue is simply that too much of your garden is being captured, discussing the matter with the camera owner and considering data protection routes will usually be more directly relevant.

Can Mediation Help With A CCTV Dispute?

Yes.

Neighbour disputes can become entrenched surprisingly quickly, particularly when both sides believe they are protecting an important right.

One household may be concerned about security while the other is concerned about privacy.

Mediation can help identify compromises such as:

• Changing the camera angle
• Using privacy masking
• Turning off audio
• Restricting recording to particular areas

A relatively small technical adjustment can sometimes remove the cause of a much larger dispute.

Should I Put Up A Taller Fence To Block My Neighbour's CCTV?

Privacy fencing can sometimes help with ground-level cameras, but it should not be the first or only response to an intrusive CCTV problem.

Start by establishing whether the camera actually records your garden and whether the owner can adjust it.

If additional garden screening is desirable anyway, possible options may include:

• More private fence panels
• Trellis
• Slatted screening
• Strategically positioned planting

Any new boundary or increase in height should be suitable for the property and comply with the rules that apply to the location.

Can Trellis Help Block A CCTV Camera?

It can interrupt particular sightlines while allowing more light and airflow than a completely solid extension.

This can be useful where the camera is at approximately the same level as the garden.

Open trellis will not provide complete privacy on its own, although planting can increase screening over time.

A camera mounted significantly above the boundary may still see over ordinary garden screening.

Can Slatted Screening Improve Privacy From CCTV?

Yes, depending on the viewing angle.

Horizontal or vertical slatted screens can interrupt views while preserving some airflow and light.

However, the gaps mean they are not completely opaque.

Before installing a screen specifically for CCTV privacy, identify the camera's actual viewing position and sightline.

Can Plants Provide Privacy From A Neighbour's Camera?

Strategically positioned planting can provide useful visual screening.

Options may include:

• Shrubs
• Climbers
• Trellis-supported planting
• Container planting around seating areas

Planting takes time to mature and can change through the seasons, so it should not be relied upon for immediate guaranteed privacy.

Should I Block The Camera Itself?

Do not interfere physically with equipment on another person's property.

If you want greater privacy within your own garden, use lawful screening on your own property or pursue the issue through communication, mediation, data protection rights or appropriate legal advice.

Can My Neighbour Object If I Put Up Privacy Screening?

You can generally make lawful alterations on your own property, but boundary ownership, planning rules and other property restrictions may affect what can be installed and how high it can be.

Do not attach screening to a neighbour's fence or structure without permission.

If the objective is simply to protect one seating area from a particular sightline, a freestanding screen inside your garden can sometimes be more practical than altering the whole boundary.

What If The Camera Is Mounted Higher Than My Fence?

A high-mounted camera can see over ordinary fencing depending on its angle.

Before increasing the entire boundary height, consider whether:

• The camera can be repositioned
• A privacy mask can be applied
• A targeted screen would interrupt the sightline
• Planting near the affected area would help

Targeting the actual line of sight is usually more effective than making unrelated sections of the garden more enclosed.

Does Having CCTV Mean My Neighbour Can Watch It Live?

Many modern systems allow live viewing as well as recording.

From a privacy perspective, the important issue remains what the camera captures and why that area is being monitored.

The fact that footage is watched live rather than stored does not automatically make intrusive monitoring acceptable.

What If The Camera Moves Or Can Be Controlled Remotely?

Some cameras can pan, tilt or zoom.

This can create understandable uncertainty because the direction visible from your garden may change.

The camera owner should still ensure the system is operated in a way that does not unnecessarily intrude into neighbouring property.

Privacy masking and movement restrictions may be available depending on the equipment.

What If I Think The Camera Is Fake?

A dummy camera does not record personal information, so the data protection issues associated with actual footage are different.

However, you may not be able to determine whether a unit is operational simply by looking at it.

If it causes concern, asking the property owner what the system records remains the most straightforward first step.

Can A CCTV Dispute Affect Neighbour Relations?

Very easily.

Camera disputes involve two concerns that people often feel strongly about: security and privacy.

The camera owner may genuinely be worried about burglary or anti-social behaviour, while the neighbour may genuinely feel uncomfortable using their own garden while apparently being recorded.

Resolving the practical issue is normally more productive than arguing about motives.

A solution such as moving the camera slightly or masking part of the image may allow both households to achieve what they need.

What Should CCTV Owners Do To Avoid Neighbour Disputes?

If you are installing the CCTV rather than being recorded by it, good planning can prevent many problems.

• Decide exactly what security problem the camera needs to address.
• Position it to capture your own property wherever possible.
• Avoid unnecessary views into neighbouring homes and gardens.
• Use privacy masking where appropriate.
• Consider whether continuous recording is necessary.
• Consider whether audio is genuinely necessary.
• Display appropriate signage where recording extends beyond your boundary.
• Keep recordings secure.
• Delete footage when it is no longer required.
• Explain the system to neighbours where they may be affected.

Common Myths About Neighbour CCTV

Neighbour CCTV Complaint Checklist

• Identify which camera concerns you.
• Work out which part of your property may be visible.
• Ask the owner what the camera actually records.
• Ask why recording outside their boundary is necessary.
• Ask whether audio recording is enabled.
• Ask whether privacy masking is being used.
• Request repositioning where appropriate.
• Put your concerns in writing if an informal conversation does not resolve them.
• Use your data protection rights where relevant.
• Keep copies of correspondence.
• Consider mediation if the dispute continues.
• Consider an ICO complaint for unresolved data protection issues.
• Contact the police where there is wider harassment, threatening behaviour or inappropriate recording of a child.
• Consider independent legal advice if the dispute becomes serious.

FAQs

Is It Illegal For My Neighbour's CCTV To Point At My Garden?

Not automatically. If the CCTV captures people or property beyond the owner's private domestic boundary, data protection law applies and the owner must be able to justify and appropriately manage that recording.

Can My Neighbour Record Me In My Garden?

A domestic camera may sometimes legitimately capture part of a neighbouring garden, but the recording should not be excessive and the camera owner has additional responsibilities when recording beyond their boundary.

Does My Neighbour Need My Consent To Record Me?

Usually not. Current ICO guidance says consent will rarely be required for home CCTV, although the operator still needs a legitimate reason for their recording.

Does My Neighbour Need A CCTV Sign?

Where the CCTV records beyond their property boundary, current ICO guidance requires transparency, including signage indicating CCTV is operating.

Can I Ask My Neighbour What Their Camera Records?

Yes. Asking to understand the actual field of view is one of the recommended first steps when concerned about domestic CCTV.

Can I Ask My Neighbour To Move Their CCTV?

Yes. If the system captures more of your property than necessary, you can ask whether it can be repositioned or privacy-masked.

Does My Neighbour Have To Move Their Camera If I Ask?

Not automatically. They should consider your objection and whether continued recording can be justified.

Can I Object To Being Recorded?

Yes. You can object to the use of your personal information and explain why you believe the recording is intrusive.

Can I Request CCTV Footage Of Myself?

Yes, where data protection rules apply. You can make a subject access request for footage containing your personal information.

How Long Does My Neighbour Have To Respond To A CCTV Access Request?

In most cases, a response should be provided within one calendar month.

Can I Ask My Neighbour To Delete Footage Of Me?

Yes. You can request erasure of footage containing you, although there may be legitimate reasons why particular recordings need to be retained.

Can My Neighbour Record Audio?

Modern CCTV systems may have microphones, but audio can be particularly intrusive. The operator should consider whether recording sound is genuinely necessary for the security purpose.

Does The Law Apply To Video Doorbells?

Yes, where a video doorbell captures personal information beyond the user's private domestic property.

Can My Neighbour Film My Children Playing In The Garden?

A security camera may incidentally capture neighbouring activity, but if you believe somebody is recording a child inappropriately, current ICO guidance advises contacting the police.

Is CCTV Harassment?

Not automatically. CCTV may form part of wider harassment, but current ICO guidance notes that CCTV recording alone is unlikely to be treated by the police as harassment without other misconduct.

Can I Complain To The ICO About My Neighbour's CCTV?

Yes. The ICO can consider complaints relating to infringement of data protection rights.

Can The ICO Force My Neighbour To Remove Their CCTV?

The ICO states that in most instances it cannot or will not force a domestic CCTV owner to remove or reposition a camera.

Should I Contact The Council About Neighbour CCTV?

Domestic CCTV privacy is primarily a data protection issue. A council may have a role in particular housing or anti-social behaviour circumstances, but the ICO is the specialist data protection regulator.

Should I Contact The Police?

Ordinary concerns about the camera's field of view should usually be raised with the owner first. Police involvement may be appropriate where there is wider harassment, threats or potentially inappropriate recording of children.

Can I Put Up A Fence To Block My Neighbour's CCTV?

Lawful privacy fencing or screening on your own property may help with some sightlines, although planning, boundary and height considerations still apply.

Can Trellis Block A CCTV Camera?

Trellis can interrupt some sightlines, particularly when combined with planting, but open trellis does not provide complete screening.

Can Horizontal Slatted Screening Block CCTV?

It can provide useful visual screening from particular angles, although views may remain through the gaps.

Can Plants Block A Neighbour's Camera?

Strategic planting can improve privacy, but it takes time to establish and may provide less screening during parts of the year.

Can I Attach Privacy Screening To My Neighbour's Fence?

Do not alter or attach materials to a fence belonging to your neighbour without their agreement. An independent screen inside your own garden may be a better option.

What Is The Best First Step If A Neighbour's CCTV Worries Me?

Ask the camera owner what the system actually records and explain your specific concern. Repositioning or privacy masking may resolve the issue without escalating the dispute.

What Should You Do If A Neighbour's CCTV Is Pointing At Your Garden?

Do not assume that the visible direction of the camera tells you everything about what is being recorded.

Start by finding out what the system can actually see.

If it captures part of your garden, ask why that area is necessary for the neighbour's security. A camera monitoring a rear gate may have a legitimate reason for a small amount of unavoidable overlap. A camera unnecessarily covering your patio presents a different privacy concern.

Ask whether the camera can be moved slightly or whether a privacy mask can block your property from the recording. Also establish whether audio is enabled, particularly if the camera is close enough to capture conversations.

If the problem cannot be resolved informally, put your concerns in writing. Where the system records your personal information, you may also have rights to request footage, request deletion in appropriate circumstances and object to continued recording.

The ICO can consider data protection complaints, although it is important to understand the limits of its role. A complaint does not mean the regulator will simply remove your neighbour's camera.

Where CCTV is part of a broader pattern of harassment, threatening behaviour or potentially inappropriate recording of children, different routes may be appropriate, including contacting the police or seeking legal advice.

Physical garden screening can also improve privacy in some situations. Solid fencing, trellis, slatted screens and planting can all interrupt sightlines, but there is little point altering your entire garden before establishing what the camera actually records.

In many cases, the most effective solution is also the simplest: understand the field of view, explain the privacy concern and find the smallest adjustment that allows your neighbour to protect their property without unnecessarily monitoring yours.