Can I Request CCTV Footage of Someone Else

With the spread of CCTV cameras, Ring doorbells, and smart surveillance systems across the UK, more people than ever are wondering who can access recorded footage and under what circumstances. A common question arises when an incident occurs and someone wants to see or obtain a copy of footage that features another individual. Perhaps a neighbour’s camera recorded a car accident, or a shop’s CCTV captured a theft or dispute. While CCTV footage may seem straightforward to request, the law treats video recordings of identifiable people as personal data. That means strict rules apply under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

You do have certain rights to request CCTV footage, but these rights are balanced against the privacy of others. Whether you can obtain footage that includes someone else depends on why you are requesting it, who controls the footage, and whether disclosure would breach data protection principles.

Who Owns CCTV Footage

CCTV footage belongs to whoever installed and operates the camera system. This person or organisation is known as the data controller because they decide how the footage is used. The controller could be a business, a council, the police, or a private homeowner. They are responsible for handling requests for footage and ensuring that any information is released in compliance with the law.

If you appear in the footage, you are considered a data subject and you have a right to access that footage under data protection law. However, if you are requesting footage of someone else, you will need a legitimate legal reason. You cannot simply request it out of curiosity or personal interest.

When You Can Request Footage That Includes Someone Else

There are certain circumstances where you may be entitled to request or view CCTV footage of another person. The first and most straightforward scenario is when the footage also shows you. For example, if you were involved in a road incident and a nearby shop’s CCTV recorded it, you can submit a subject access request asking for a copy of any footage that includes you. The shop may need to blur the faces of other people before releasing it to protect their privacy, but you are entitled to the parts that show you directly.

If the footage does not include you but features someone else, your right to obtain it becomes more limited. You may only access footage of another person if you have that person’s written consent, legal authority such as power of attorney, or a legitimate legal interest such as being involved in criminal or civil proceedings where the footage serves as evidence. Without one of these grounds, the controller is entitled to refuse your request.

Requesting CCTV Footage for Legal or Investigative Reasons

If the footage is required to support a criminal investigation or civil claim, you can request it as evidence. For example, if your car was damaged in a hit-and-run and a neighbour’s CCTV camera recorded the vehicle responsible, you can ask the neighbour to provide the footage or pass it directly to the police. The police have powers to obtain footage for investigations and can collect it on your behalf if a crime has occurred.

In civil matters such as personal injury or property damage claims, solicitors often contact the controller formally to request footage. If legal proceedings are underway, the court can order the disclosure of relevant video recordings. In those circumstances, the right to privacy of third parties may still apply, but the footage can often be used if redacted or limited to specific timeframes.

How to Make a Valid Request for CCTV Footage

When requesting footage, you must contact the data controller directly. Look for CCTV signage, as this usually identifies who operates the system. For example, businesses often display signs stating that CCTV is in use and provide contact details for the operator. You can then send a written request specifying what you need.

Your request should include the date, time, and location of the footage, along with a brief description of the event or people involved. If you appear in the footage, state that you are making a subject access request under the Data Protection Act 2018. Provide proof of your identity so the controller can confirm you are entitled to access your personal data.

If you are acting on someone else’s behalf, include documentation to show your authority, such as a letter of consent, power of attorney, or solicitor’s authorisation. Be polite, factual, and specific. Most controllers are more likely to cooperate if they can easily identify the relevant footage and see a clear reason for your request.

How Long It Takes to Receive Footage

Once your request has been submitted, the controller must respond within one month. They can extend this by up to two additional months if the request is complex, but they must inform you in writing and explain the delay. If the footage contains other people, the controller may need extra time to edit or blur faces before releasing it.

The footage will usually be provided as a digital file, but some controllers may invite you to view it in person instead. Viewing sessions are often used when redacting footage is difficult or where full copies cannot be securely shared. In either case, the controller must ensure that your personal data is handled fairly and lawfully.

When a Request Can Be Refused

A controller can refuse your request for several reasons. They may reject it if releasing the footage would breach another person’s privacy and redaction is not possible. They can also refuse if the footage is part of an ongoing police investigation, if it no longer exists due to routine deletion, or if your request is manifestly unreasonable or excessive.

If your request is refused, you are entitled to a written explanation. The controller must outline the reasons for their decision and inform you of your right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office. In practice, most refusals are due to privacy conflicts or because the footage has already been deleted.

Neighbour CCTV Footage Requests

CCTV disputes between neighbours are increasingly common. If your neighbour’s camera captures part of your property or an incident involving you, you can ask to see the footage. It is best to start informally by asking politely for a copy or to view the recording. Many people will cooperate if they understand your reason for requesting it.

If the neighbour refuses or ignores you, you can make a formal subject access request. Explain clearly that you believe their CCTV has recorded you and give the approximate date and time. Provide proof of identity if necessary. If your neighbour records areas outside their property, such as your driveway or the public pavement, they are subject to data protection law just like any business. That means they must handle footage lawfully and respond to access requests.

If they still refuse, you can escalate the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office, which can investigate and advise. It is also possible to seek legal advice or request police assistance if the footage is needed for a criminal matter.

Data Protection and Privacy Balance

When deciding whether to release CCTV footage that includes someone else, controllers must balance your right of access with the privacy rights of others. They are expected to consider whether it is practical to redact or blur other people’s faces or identifying features. If redaction is possible, they should provide the footage rather than refusing outright.

If redaction is not feasible and disclosure would unfairly expose someone else’s personal data, the controller can lawfully refuse to share it. This balance ensures fairness for everyone involved and prevents the misuse of personal recordings.

How Businesses and Councils Handle Requests

Businesses, local authorities, and housing associations often have formal procedures for handling CCTV requests. They usually require you to submit a written request with specific details such as location, date, and time. They will then search for the footage, review it, and decide what can be released.

If you are dealing with a council or public authority, they will generally have a dedicated data protection officer who handles these matters. These organisations must comply strictly with the Data Protection Act and are accustomed to handling requests efficiently. You can ask them to confirm whether they hold any relevant footage before submitting a full request to save time.

How Long Footage Is Kept

Most CCTV systems automatically overwrite old recordings after a set period. This could be as short as seven days for small private systems or up to thirty days or more for larger commercial systems. If you believe relevant footage exists, act quickly. Once deleted, footage is almost always irretrievable.

If you contact the controller soon after an incident, ask them to preserve the footage while your request is being processed. Many will be willing to hold it temporarily if you explain that you are making a formal request or that the footage may be needed by the police.

Requesting CCTV from the Police

If the footage is held by the police, the process is slightly different. The police are not required to release CCTV footage under a standard subject access request if doing so would interfere with an investigation or legal proceedings. However, once an investigation concludes, you may be able to request a copy if you have a legitimate interest.

If you are the victim of a crime, the officer in charge of your case can usually arrange access to relevant evidence, including CCTV recordings. In many cases, the police prefer to provide summaries or still images rather than full video copies to protect third-party data.

When to Seek Legal Help

If your request is refused or ignored and you believe you have a strong case, legal advice can be invaluable. Solicitors can contact the controller on your behalf, clarify your rights, and issue formal disclosure requests if litigation is involved. Courts can compel the release of footage where it is necessary to ensure a fair hearing or to establish facts in dispute.

In some situations, a solicitor’s letter alone is enough to prompt cooperation, especially when businesses or organisations fear potential non-compliance with data protection laws.

Costs and Format of Footage Provided

In most cases, obtaining CCTV footage is free. Controllers are not allowed to charge a fee for responding to a valid subject access request unless it is excessive or clearly unreasonable. However, they may charge a small fee if you request multiple copies or if the redaction process is unusually complex.

The footage should be provided in a common digital format that can be played on standard devices. If the file type is unfamiliar, ask the controller to confirm which software can view it safely. Always store copies securely and avoid sharing them publicly unless legally permitted.

Maintaining Data Security and Respecting Privacy

If you receive CCTV footage that includes others, you become responsible for using it lawfully. You must not distribute or publish it without permission. Doing so could breach privacy and data protection laws and expose you to legal action. Use the footage only for the purpose you requested it for, such as supporting an insurance claim or a police report.

Respecting privacy is not just a legal obligation but also a practical one. Misusing footage can damage relationships, cause reputational harm, or complicate investigations.

What to Do If Your Request Is Ignored or Mishandled

If the controller fails to respond within one month or refuses without proper reason, you can file a complaint. Start by writing to the controller again, reminding them of their legal obligation to respond. If this fails, you can raise a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office, which has authority to enforce compliance with the Data Protection Act.

In more serious cases, especially if footage has been deleted in bad faith or withheld to obstruct justice, you may consider taking legal action. Courts can issue orders requiring disclosure or damages if your data protection rights have been breached.

Practical Examples of How This Works

Imagine your car was vandalised and a nearby pub’s CCTV recorded the incident. You can request footage of yourself or your property being damaged. The pub owner may release the clip to you after blurring other patrons’ faces.

In another example, a neighbour’s Ring doorbell might have captured a delivery driver damaging your wall. You can request the relevant clip or ask the neighbour to provide it to the courier company or insurer. However, you cannot demand general access to all of their footage or unrelated recordings.

Finally, if an assault occurs outside a train station and you believe the CCTV shows what happened, you can contact the relevant transport authority. They may provide the footage directly to the police rather than to you personally, but you can still ensure it is reviewed as evidence.

Conclusion

In the UK, you can request CCTV footage of someone else only when you have a valid legal reason, appropriate authority, or consent from the person recorded. If the footage also shows you, your rights are stronger under the Data Protection Act. Always act quickly because recordings are routinely deleted after short retention periods, and make your request clearly, providing identification and justification.

The key to success is understanding the balance between transparency and privacy. You have a right to access personal data that concerns you, but not to view or obtain footage of others without lawful grounds. Whether the footage is from a business, neighbour, council, or the police, following proper procedure ensures you stay compliant with UK law and helps you obtain what you need efficiently and respectfully.