
Homeowners with smart doorbells or CCTV could face £100k fine, expert warns
Carlos stressed the need for homeowners equipped with devices like smart doorbells and CCTV cameras to be fully aware of the legalities involved to sidestep hefty fines and potential legal battles.
He cautioned: "Many homeowners unknowingly break the law with their security cameras and smart doorbells. While having a security system is a great idea, if it records footage outside your property line, like a public sidewalk or your neighbour's garden, you could face hefty fines (up to £100,000) or even criminal charges for violating data protection laws."
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) holds the authority to enforce actions against homeowners who fail to comply. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Homeowners should consider the following advice to ensure their home security setup remains within legal boundaries and operates effectively:
Understanding data protection laws
If your security equipment captures images beyond your property's confines, such as neighbouring homes, gardens, communal areas, or public spaces, you must adhere to the Data Protection Act (DPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Failing to adhere to these legal requirements could result in enforcement measures and fines from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) or legal action from those impacted, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Steps towards compliance.
Carlos, a home security specialist, stressed the significance of proper signage.
He explained: "It's increasingly common for homeowners to install surveillance systems for safety benefits. However, it's essential to follow guidelines to avoid unlawfully filming individuals. Secretly filming, even on private property, is illegal.
"To avoid this, put up clear and visible signs at key entry points informing people that recording devices are in operation. This transparency deters crime and fulfils legal requirements."
He also underlined the importance of respecting privacy, stating: "For those considering CCTV or smart camera installations, it's vital to inform neighbours and ensure signs are prominently displayed to notify individuals of the recording.
"Remember, security shouldn't come at the expense of your neighbours' privacy. Inform them and anyone potentially captured on camera, especially if the camera's view extends beyond your property. This proactive approach not only fosters community awareness but also helps in safeguarding privacy and avoiding misunderstandings or complaints."
Discussing the importance of proper storage, he remarked: "When managing recordings, make sure they have accurate timestamps for easy review and have sufficient storage capacity to retain footage as needed. These measures not only support legal compliance but also enhance the effectiveness of security systems in protecting homes and occupants."
He further stressed the value of professional assistance in setting up security systems, stating: "When installing CCTV or smart cameras, consider engaging a specialist security firm. They can ensure that your system is set up in compliance with legal requirements, including proper signage and data protection protocols.
"Expert installation not only mitigates legal risks but also optimises the effectiveness of your security measures, providing peace of mind during this summer season."
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Wales Online
5 hours ago
- Wales Online
College lecturer 'slept while at work and called students 'd***heads'
College lecturer 'slept while at work and called students 'd***heads' It is also alleged Benjamin Dick allowed students to carry out dangerous car repairs File picture of a mechanic working on a car (Image: Iancu Cojocar / 500px via Getty Images ) A college lecturer used foul language to describe and insult students, allowed them to do dangerous car repairs and fell asleep at work, it is alleged. Benjamin Dick referred to his students as "f****** sh**" and d****heads" and said one was "a right c***", a professional standards committee has heard. The Coleg Ceredigion lecturer also let his students work on a classmate's car without the repairs being checked as safe before it was driven off college premises, it was claimed. The car then broke down, causing potential danger to the young driver and other road users, the Education Workforce Council Wales panel heard. Dick also failed to supervise classes adequately which could have resulted in a student being "crushed" under cars they worked on, it was alleged. The further education teacher was employed as a lecturer in automotive engineering at Coleg Ceredigion, the remote EWC hearing on July 7 was told. Anthony Goellnitz, an experienced lecturer who worked in the same department said Dick would "not supervise as he should" and sat in his office "on a daily basis" on the phone with his feet on the desk while students worked. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. He said the students, most of whom were aged 16 to 18, but some younger, complained that Dick was not available. Goellnitz raised the matter with management. Article continues below "He spent a lot of time in his office with feet up on the desk on his phone sorting his life out, " Mr Goellnitz told the panel. Dick would keep a drawer to the side open and throw his phone into it if people came into the room, he told the committee. Describing the allegation Dick let a class work on mending the learner's car which was not checked, Mr Goellnitz said: "When he drove part of the suspension fell off affecting the steering. It could have caused injury to him or others." He went on: "The learner brought the car back to college and was not in a position to buy new parts for the car. Around £350 to £400 damage was caused because a bolt was incorrectly fitted. This affected the steering and suspension." Describing it as "very dangerous" not to check repairs, he said there was "incompetence" on Dick's part and "every single nut and bolt needs to be checked by yourself before it leaves the workshop". On other occasions students were allegedly permitted to work underneath cars that had been jacked up without adequate checking. Mr Goellnitz said: "It can be a dangerous environment in the workshop. There are two vehicle lifts with axel stands and jacks. "This can lead to a serious accident. When jacking a car [it] needs to be closely supervised. It needs to be checked to make sure it is being safe while worked on. Work always needs to be checked. "Benjamin Dick spent a lot of time in his office and let pupils work on their own. This was really dangerous. I would pop into his office and he would quickly throw his phone into a drawer." And he added: "A car could fall and if a student was underneath, it could crush a student." The committee also heard how Dick allegedly fell asleep at work with his "head back on chair, mouth open, eyes closed, feet on desk". Asked when this was Goellnitz replied: "Working hours and in prep time, marking time and lunch time." Dick, who worked at the college from 2019 until resigning in March 2024, was not present and not represented at the hearing. He did not respond to the raft of allegations he faces which were therefore taken as denied by the panel. Confirming this, the committee chair Steve Powell added that in an email to the EWC, Dick had, however, stated: "I admit that most of the facts of the allegations set out are to some degree accurate and true, except allowing learners into restricted areas as such as these were never defined by the college." Dick faces the following allegations: That whilst registered as further education teacher and employed as a lecturer in automotive engineering at Coleg Ceredigion he:1. On one or more occasions between around 2023 and around February 2024, referred to learners using foul and/or derogatory language in the presence of other staff, namely words to the effect of:a) 'little s**t'; and/orb) calling learners 'thick'; and/orc) using the word 'f**k'; and/ord) 'they are a right c**t'.2. On one or more occasions between around 2023 and around February 2024, he made comments about learners to other learners or where learners could hear, which were inappropriate and/or derogatory, namely:a) calling learners 'd**khead' and/or 'd**kheads'; and/orb) referring to the Level 1 group as 'a f**king s**t group'; and/orc) telling the Level 2 group that the Level 1 learners were: i. getting on your nerves; and/or ii. being irritating or annoying, or words to that effect; and/ord) saying that a learner was 'f**king annoying'.3. On one or more occasions between around September 2022 and February 2024, he behaved in an inappropriate or unprofessional manner in the presence of colleagues and/or learners in that he:a) shouted and/or swore angrily; and/orb) threw one or more items; and/orc) kicked a door; and/ord) referred to your partner as a 'c**t', and/or, in a derogatory way. 4. On one or more occasions between around September 2022 and February 2024, he left learners unsupervised and/or without adequate supervision within the workshop; 5. In or around January and/or February 2024, he allowed learners to work on a learner's car:a) without adequate supervision; and/orb) without checking their work before the car left the college; and/orc) allowed the car to be driven in an unsafe state. 6. In or around December 2023, he allowed learners to work on his car:a) without adequate supervision; and/orb) without checking their work before driving the car; and/orc) allowed the car to be driven without working headlights. 7. On one or more occasions between around September 2022 and around February 2024, he was asleep at work, during working hours. 8. On one or more occasions between around September 2022 and around February 2024, he played games on your mobile phone during workshop and/or theory lessons and/or working hours. 9. It is alleged that the allegations, if found proved, constitute unacceptable professional conduct when considered individually; and/or together. Article continues below The hearing continues.


Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
We fear our Ricky has been murdered
We fear our Ricky has been murdered Ricky Harris' family have not seen or heard from him for more than a year and now they've received a disturbing message Ricky Harris was last seen in November 2023 The family of a missing man fear he has 'been murdered' as they approach 20 months with no answers. Ricky Harris, from Aberdare, was last seen on CCTV at around 2.20pm on Saturday, November 18, 2023. The footage, taken from near his flat at Maes-Y-Deri, Aberaman, was captured just hours after his aunt, Nina Harris, dropped him home from a friend's house. Speaking to WalesOnline previously, Nina said Ricky seemed like his usual self that day, however she noted it was strange for him to have requested a lift for what should have been a five-minute walk. She added that Ricky 'looked shifty or nervous' when she reviewed CCTV footage of their last interaction. Now 19 months on since her nephew's disappearance Nina has revealed that the family received a disturbing letter which alleges that Ricky has been murdered. The letter, seen by WalesOnline, suggests a location where Ricky has been 'buried under gravel'. The letter was not intended for Ricky's family but was passed on by someone who felt they had a 'right to know', Nina claimed. Ricky Harris has been missing for nearly 20 months (Image: Nina Harris ) Article continues below Nina said she received it just short of a year ago, but claimed police had not taken it seriously. 'We've had this letter for the last 10 months but the police have ignored it,' she said. 'When I read it my heart sank. Seeing it written down is more than a verbal rumour. "The police said they would speak to [the person referred to in the letter] but that [they were unable] to speak to them. 'At first we had a little bit of hope, but we are speaking out now because it has been so long since we received the letter. 'I'm not just going to sit back and leave him missing, I want him found. I have been constantly ringing for updates and I'm sick of calling 101, I'm sick of arguing with the police. It's a shambles.' For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Ricky with his aunt Nina Harris (Image: Supplied by Nina Harris ) Further to this, she said the family is concerned that officers had not yet obtained permission to access Ricky's social media accounts to check for potential evidence. She said: 'It's been 20 months now and they haven't even looked into Ricky's Facebook account. I know this because they told me. 'If someone is [being investigated] for a drugs offence the first thing they do is get on their Facebook account but when someone is missing, why not? They don't know what messages he sent or received before he went missing. That should have been done at the very beginning.' Recalling the last time she saw Ricky, she said: 'That day I just knew something wasn't right. When you know someone and know their ways, you can just tell. 'It is very out of character for Ricky to go missing; he doesn't go and wander, he is a home bird. 'A week before he had pneumonia and they took a litre of fluid off his lungs. On the Monday before he went missing he signed himself out of hospital. '[At the time] the police said he could have walked off and collapsed somewhere, but if that happened, he would have likely been found now. They said we need to keep all options open and not just assume he is dead.' Nina said Ricky is 'so missed' (Image: Supplied by Nina Harris ) Nina said the family also continue to be tormented by prank calls and 'twisted' people using fake social media accounts claiming to be withholding information about Ricky's whereabouts. She said as a family they believe he is dead, and fear he has been 'murdered'. She said: 'It's devastating as a family and we believe the outcome [is that he is dead] but he deserves to have a proper funeral. I'm still awake until silly times in the morning. I wake up and I can't get it out of my head. It's just crazy. 'You think of all sorts, did he suffer? Was it sudden? Someone evil knows something and they're not speaking up.' She added: 'He is so missed and loved it is unreal, it's heartbreaking and cruel. At the end of the day he's someone's son and he's my nephew, and I'll do anything I've got to do to find him.' Detective Inspector Owain Morris said: 'South Wales Police is actively pursuing a detailed and comprehensive investigation into the disappearance of Ricky Harris. 'Since Ricky's disappearance, we have conducted extensive searches utilising our Specialist Search officers, which includes specialised units such as the dive team, dog scent teams, and support from the police helicopter (NPAS) and drone teams. "The investigation has reached beyond local boundaries, with inquiries extending as far as North Wales. 'Officers are continually reviewing any new information that emerges, ensuring that all leads are thoroughly examined. Every reported sighting and tip-off from the public has been diligently followed up, and all practical and reasonable physical search opportunities have been explored to the best of their capabilities. "This includes thorough examinations of numerous locations, such as rivers, waterways, and areas of dense vegetation. 'I would like to emphasise that the investigation remains ongoing, and we are committed in our efforts to locate Ricky. Ricky's family have been kept updated on all developments related to the search for him.' Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice Article continues below


Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
One of two boys found dead on railway line pictured
One of two boys found dead on railway line pictured Joshua Myers was one of two 16-year-old boys found dead near Poynton station on Thursday Joshua Myers (Image: Cheshire Police ) One of two teenage boys found dead on railway tracks near a station has been identified locally as Joshua Myers. Both boys, aged 16, were discovered near Poynton Station, close to Stockport. In May, Cheshire Police had issued an appeal to help locate Joshua, from Handforth, after he disappeared and was thought to have travelled 200 miles away to Devon and Cornwall. He was located but went missing again for a day in June. Floral tributes were left at the station in memory of both boys. Cheshire Constabulary responded to the tragic incident on Thursday evening, however, a comprehensive investigation is being conducted by British Transport Police. The incident isn't being treated as suspicious, according to a spokesperson from BTP. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Flowers left at Poynton Railway Station in tribute to the two boys (Image: MEN ) Emergency services were summoned to the scene around 10.10pm on Thursday following 999 calls reporting a "casualty", police stated. Article continues below BTP confirmed that the families of both boys have been notified. They said a file of evidence is now expected to be handed over to the Coroner, reports the Manchester Evening News. Both boys were declared dead at the scene. Officers were photographed at the scene of the tragedy alongside Network Rail officials. A passenger who disembarked a train at Poyton station on Friday told the MEN that the double tragedy was "devastating". She said: "It's just devastating. I have teenage children myself, including a 16-year-old boy. It brings it so close to home." The police have not yet revealed any additional details about the circumstances of the incident. It was confirmed that despite the best efforts of paramedics, the teenagers were pronounced dead at the scene. A spokesperson for the British Transport Police stated: "Officers were called at around 10.10pm (on July 3rd) to reports of a casualty on the tracks near Poynton railway station. Article continues below "Officers attended with paramedics. Very sadly and despite the best efforts of paramedics two 16-year-old boys were both pronounced dead at the scene."