Homeowner erects barbed-wire protected CCTV pointing into neighbours' gardens

A homeowner has been ordered by a court to alter his "intrusive" CCTV cameras that pointed into his neighbours' gardens.

Those living next to Kevin Grogan's home in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, complained they felt they were under surveillance.

The 67-year-old, from Queensway, has been in front of the courts on several occasions over his "intrusive" CCTV set-up.

Police said a court at Manchester Civil Justice Centre ruled last month that Grogan's latest appeal against altering his system was "without merit".

Greater Manchester Police said Grogan "fenced in common land to the rear of his property without consulting neighbours and without consideration to their rights".

Police said: "He enforced this land grab with an extensive intrusive CCTV system also covering neighbours' gardens."

Grogan put up CCTV cameras with microphones after blocking off an alley for his own personal use, the court heard.

He must now make changes to the alley and cameras after losing his latest appeal.

Neighbours described the situation, which has been going on for many years, as a "nightmare", the Manchester Evening News reported.

One pointed out the barbed wire attached to one of the poles in Grogan's garden and said they felt like they were under surveillance at all times, an experience which they said was "intimidating".

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Another said they were tired of seeing the "junkyard", saying an "old banger" had not long been removed from the alley which had been blocked off by Grogan.

Police were first made aware of the CCTV system in early 2021, with the cameras mounted looking out over nearby properties and roads with night vision audio recording and audio-enabled cameras with speakers.

Officers issued Grogan a Community Protection Order (CPO) in March 2021, telling him to remove the CCTV system and return the alley to its original state.

He appealed this order, and at a hearing at Manchester City Magistrates' Court in May, a judge modified the order.

However, Grogan was unhappy with this outcome and appealed once more – although this appeal was thrown out by Judge Craig Sephton QC on 23 August, after he deemed the application was "wholly unarguable".

The modified CPO requires that Grogan must ensure any gate or fencing at the alley is unlocked at all times and capable of opening without obstruction.

In addition, all cameras must only capture images within the boundary of his house and he must ensure they are not tall enough to see into his neighbour's properties or public areas.

Audio recording facilities on his cameras must only be activated when there is a trespasser on the land attached to his property.

The barbed wire on the camera poles must only be visible to Grogan and those on his property lawfully.