Where Should CCTV Cameras Be Installed?

CTV cameras are designed to deter criminals, monitor activity and provide clear evidence if an incident occurs. However, even high-quality cameras won’t perform effectively if they’re installed in the wrong location.

Proper camera placement helps you:

• Cover vulnerable access points
• Reduce blind spots
• Capture clear facial images
• Monitor vehicles and deliveries
• Improve overall security
• Provide better evidence if an incident occurs

Before installation, it’s important to consider how people move around your property and where intruders are most likely to gain access.

Front Door

The front entrance is one of the most important locations for a CCTV camera.

A camera covering your front door can record:

• Visitors
• Deliveries
• Parcels
• Suspicious activity
• Anyone approaching your property

Ideally, the camera should provide a clear view of faces without being positioned too high.

Driveway

If you have a driveway, it’s worth installing a camera that captures vehicles entering and leaving your property.

This can help record:

• Vehicle theft
• Criminal damage
• Suspicious vehicles
• Delivery drivers

Where possible, cameras should be positioned to capture registration plates as well as wider views of the driveway.

Rear Garden

Many burglars choose to enter through the back of a property where they’re less visible to neighbours or passing traffic.

A rear-facing camera can help monitor:

• Garden gates
• Patio doors
• Rear windows
• Garages
• Outbuildings

This is particularly important if your property backs onto alleyways, footpaths or open land.

Side Access

If your property has a side gate or narrow pathway leading to the rear, this is another key location for CCTV coverage.

These areas are often overlooked but frequently used by intruders attempting to avoid detection.

Garages and Outbuildings

Garages often contain valuable items such as bicycles, tools and vehicles.

Installing CCTV around garages, workshops or sheds can help protect these buildings and alert you to suspicious activity before a break-in occurs.

Business Entrances

For commercial properties, all public and staff entrances should be covered.

This provides a record of:

• Customers
• Staff
• Deliveries
• Contractors
• Visitors

Businesses may also require cameras covering emergency exits and loading bays.

Reception Areas

Reception areas are often the first point of contact for visitors.

CCTV here can improve staff safety while providing a record of customer interactions if required.

Warehouses and Stock Rooms

For businesses holding valuable stock, cameras should monitor:

• Storage areas
• Loading bays
• High-value goods
• Internal access routes

Internal CCTV can help deter theft while supporting investigations if stock goes missing.

Avoid Common Installation Mistakes

Simply mounting cameras on the highest point of a building isn’t always the best solution.

Common mistakes include:

• Cameras pointing directly into sunlight
• Large blind spots
• Poor night-time coverage
• Obstructions from trees or signs
• Cameras positioned too high to identify faces

Professional installers carefully assess the property before deciding on the best locations.