Aug 10, 2017

For the security conscious homeowner, CCTV is now a realistic option. Thanks to lower prices and the relative ease of installation, what was once a precaution reserved for businesses and those with a big budget, is now available to everyone.

But is it the right option for you?

If you’re worried about harassment, anti-social behaviour, trespassing, or a break-in, then CCTV is a good option.

Used alongside a professionally installed intruder alarm, CCTV adds an additional deterrent. If criminals believe there’s a chance their image could be captured, they’ll be less likely to step onto your property.

So it’s no wonder that CCTV is becoming increasingly popular.

How does CCTV work?

CCTV uses cameras and a digital video recorder (DVR) to capture images of your home.

• Wireless or wired? Wireless CCTV is easier to install, but you risk losing footage if the internet connection goes down. A wired alarm takes a little longer because you’ll want to hide all the wires, but it will give you more reliability.

• What cameras? To make this decision you’ll need to decide what quality of images you want to capture. Any images captured will be collected on a digital video recorder, which your cameras will be linked to.

• Storage. As footage can be collected 24/7 you’ll need to ensure you have sufficient data storage set-up.

Once installed, you’ll be able to access your camera on your TV, smartphone, or tablet. For extra peace of mind, your system can be setup to send you images if somebody crosses an invisible line around your home. Subject to signal, this can alert you to someone’s presence – even if you can’t see them.

In other words, CCTV means you can even observe your home when you’re away

Do you really need CCTV?

So what are the considerations if you’re seriously thinking about installing CCTV at your home?

Firstly, you need to think about what you want to achieve with your investment. This means you must ask yourself questions such as:

• Do you want to record inside or outside?

• What specifically do you want to capture footage of? For example, do you want to monitor your front door, a parking space, your shed or your summerhouse?

• Do you need images that will be able to identify a person to be used as evidence in court? If so, this will determine your choice and positioning of your camera.

• You should also consider if there are there other ways to achieve the objective you want.

Stay on the right side of the law

If you want to record the outside of your property, you need to be aware of the legal implications. While you do have the right to protect your home, you can’t do that at the expense of someone else’s privacy. This means you need to consider the scope of what your cameras can capture to ensure you don’t violate:

• Data Protection laws
• Privacy laws
• Harassment laws

What’s more, depending on where you live you may have to get planning permission from the council. And if you’re a tenant, you’ll definitely need permission from your landlord.

We’re here to help

CCTV is a brilliant investment for many homeowners. It offers additional peace of mind and can even cut your home insurance.

However there’s a lot to consider if you want install the equipment that’s right for your family. That’s why we offer free CCTV Advice visits.

Here’s how they work…

We’ll visit you at your home to talk about your requirements. We’ll make sure we understand what you want to achieve with CCTV and then advise you on the best way forward including:

• Where to position your cameras – so you get the best footage and don’t break any laws
• What type of cameras you’ll need to achieve your desired results
• Advise to store images
• Who you need to tell about your CCTV and who you need to seek permission from
• Other security measures that will complement and enhance your CCTV
• A quote to have your CCTV installed professionally 

So if you’d like to discover if CCTV is going to give you what you want, give us a call on 0800 852 7434. We can book in you free advice visit and give you everything you need to make an informed choice.