OT: CCTV question

["John B" <home-automation@xxxxxxx>]

Hi all,

Does anyone know the legal issues surrounding the use of CCTV cameras to
monitor public highways and other people's property?

Someone has fitted a CCTV camera which looks directly onto the road which
runs at the back of our house - the camera doesn't cover any of this
person's own property, just the road, and the back of our own property.

As we park our car at the rear of our property, our movements are being
monitored each time we come and go - and I'm not too keen on just anyone
being able to keep this sort of information.

He has put up a sign saying "CCTV in operation".

Does anyone know if he needs to be licensed to operate such a system - or
at least I'm guessing he'll need to conform to the Data Protection Act, or
is this not legal at all?

Any info much appreciated,

Regards,

John