Protect your home, deter intruders, and stay within the law
As a remote monitoring centre (ARC), we oversee thousands of domestic CCTV systems across the UK. And time and again, we’ve seen how strategically placed cameras are essential for deterring crime and capturing crucial evidence.
Here’s our expert advice on where to position your home CCTV cameras—and what you need to know about legal compliance when installing them.
Best Locations to Place Home CCTV Cameras
To maximise your security coverage and avoid blind spots, consider placing cameras in the following areas:
1. Front Door
Most burglars attempt entry through the front door. A visible camera here acts as a strong deterrent and records everyone approaching your property.
Tip: Install the camera above head height and angled slightly downwards to capture clear facial images.
2. Back Garden or Rear Entrance
Back doors and gardens are frequent entry points for intruders, often shielded from view.
This is a common blind spot for many homes and is often targeted due to privacy from neighbours or the street.
3. Side Gates and Alleyways
If your home has side access, monitor it. These routes are often used for sneaky break-ins.
Position cameras to face along the fence line or gate entrance.
4. Garage and Driveway
Garages can store high-value items like bikes, tools, or vehicles. Driveway cameras also capture movement near parked cars.
If your car is damaged or stolen, footage can be vital for insurance claims.
5. Interior Entry Points
A camera inside—covering key entrances such as back doors, kitchen or hallways—can help track movement if someone gains entry.
Step Up: Add ARC Monitoring for Peace of Mind
The next level in home security is connecting your CCTV to a professional Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) like us at Farsight.
If you’re away—whether on holiday or simply asleep—and your system detects movement or triggers an alarm, the footage comes straight to our control room for review. We can analyse the event in real time and take immediate action.
In many cases, we issue live audio warnings through speakers on-site. These are proven to stop intruders in their tracks. We see it time and time again—an intruder hears the warning and leaves the site immediately.
Adding ARC monitoring turns your CCTV into an active, responsive system—not just a recording device.
Do I Need CCTV Signs at Home in the UK?
Yes—if your cameras capture areas beyond your property boundary, such as a public footpath, neighbour’s garden, or the road, you must comply with UK data protection laws (specifically the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018). 
Here’s what you need to do:
- Display a CCTV sign: It should be visible and explain that recording is taking place.
- Only capture what’s necessary: Avoid recording neighbours or public areas unless essential.
- Don’t record audio unless essential: Audio is more intrusive and has stricter privacy implications.
- Keep footage secure: Store recordings securely and only retain them for as long as needed.
- Respond to footage requests: You must provide footage if someone requests video of themselves (a subject access request).
If your cameras are fully within your private property and don’t record public spaces or neighbours, these laws do not apply. However, displaying a sign is still considered best practice.
Recommended Home CCTV Cameras
With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know which CCTV camera to choose for your home. Based on reliability, image quality, and integration with professional monitoring systems, these are our top three recommendations:
- Hikvision – Affordable, widely used, and compatible with most ARC setups. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor home use.
- Axis Communications – Known for high-quality imaging and robust build, great for critical coverage areas like entrances and driveways.
- Hanwha Vision (formerly Samsung Techwin) – Offers excellent analytics and reliability and is suitable for homeowners wanting advanced features.
These cameras are fully integrated into our monitoring software, making them ready to level up your home security with professional support from day one.
Even if your camera isn’t on our integration list, we can still monitor it using an RTSP stream for live footage and SMTP setup for camera-triggered events, ensuring flexibility without compromising on protection.
For homeowners who have recently installed CCTV or video doorbells, we have put together a clear breakdown of the legal and privacy considerations you should be aware of. It covers boundary footage, data protection requirements and practical tips for staying compliant. You can read the full guide here: Complying With UK Home CCTV Regulations and Privacy Rules.
Home CCTV FAQs
1. Where should I place CCTV cameras around my home?
The best locations include the front door, back garden or rear entrance, side gates or alleyways, garage and driveway, and key internal entry points such as hallways and back doors.
2. Is it a legal requirement to put CCTV signs up at home?
Yes—if your cameras capture areas outside your property boundary (like pavements, public roads, or neighbours’ gardens), you are legally required to display a CCTV warning sign and comply with UK GDPR regulations.
3. Do I need to follow any laws if my cameras only record within my property?
No, if your CCTV only covers your private space (e.g., your own garden or driveway), UK data protection laws don’t apply. However, it’s still best practice to display a sign.
4. Can I record audio with my home CCTV system?
You can, but it’s not recommended unless absolutely necessary. Audio recording is more intrusive and can have stricter legal implications under data protection laws.
5. What is an ARC, and how can it help with home CCTV?
An ARC (Alarm Receiving Centre) is a professional monitoring service. If your system is triggered—especially while you’re away—an ARC like Farsight can assess the event and issue live audio warnings to deter intruders.
6. Are live audio warnings effective in stopping intruders?
Yes. In many cases, intruders leave immediately after hearing a live audio challenge. It’s a highly effective, proactive security measure.
7. Can Farsight monitor my existing CCTV system?
In most cases, yes. We work with a wide range of domestic CCTV systems and can usually integrate with your existing setup to provide full monitoring and response.
8. What happens if someone requests footage of themselves?
If your system captures footage of someone and they request access, you must respond to the request (known as a subject access request) in line with UK data protection laws.
9. How long should I keep my CCTV footage?
Only retain footage for as long as necessary. The specific timeframe depends on your system’s storage capacity and the purpose of the recordings, but it’s recommended to regularly delete old footage unless it’s needed for an incident.
10. Can I install indoor cameras too?
Yes, indoor cameras can add an extra layer of protection, especially at entry points like rear doors or hallways. Just ensure they’re positioned with privacy in mind.
Final Thoughts
CCTV can be a powerful tool to protect your home, but only when it’s installed in the right places and used responsibly. At Farsight, we monitor residential systems across the UK and offer expert advice on optimising your setup.
If you’re considering CCTV at home or want your current system monitored by professionals, get in touch—we can help you stay protected and compliant.
