A couple became outraged after they were ordered to remove CCTV cameras that had been outside their flat for more than a decade.
Steve Cavener and his wife Melanie Diamond-Cavener, from South Shields, had the cameras installed on their property 12 years ago after attempts to steal Steven's work van.
But they have now been told to remove them after complaints were made by other residents of Green's Place.
Steven says the situation is 'ridiculous' as he claims both housing association Home Group and Northumbria Police have used the footage to help them investigate incidents in the area.
Home Group requested the removal of the CCTV footage last year after customers raised 'concerns about their privacy'.
The company says the U-shaped layout of Green's Place means it is impossible to place cameras in a way that respects the privacy of other customers.
Steve and Melanie claim that the cameras are mounted on the wall and that they only record Steve's van.
Steve Cavener and his wife Melanie Diamond-Cavener (pictured), from South Shields, had the cameras installed on their property 12 years ago after attempts to steal Steven's work van
Steve and Melanie claim that the cameras are mounted on the wall and that they only record Steve's van
The couple does not believe they are invading anyone's privacy. One of the cameras can be seen here
They don't believe they are invading anyone's privacy.
After initially receiving a letter from Home Group asking them to remove the cameras, the couple applied for retroactive planning permission.
This was granted in August 2024, but Home Group says this was a mistake.
In December 2024, Steve and Melanie were given one last chance to remove the cameras before legal action would be taken against them for breaching their lease.
Steven told ChronicleLive: 'It's absolutely ridiculous.
'My company car is in danger, because it has almost been stolen twice.
“The cameras provide security to the residents and they all feel safer because the cameras are there.”
Andrea Cunningham, a tenant at another flat in Green's Place, removed the CCTV cameras she said she had put up for four and a half years after Home Group told her to remove them.
She said they were “not invading privacy and not looking into anyone's home.”
Home Group confirmed that they are also writing to residents to request the removal of Ring Doorbells.
The housing association is planning a formal meeting with residents of Green's Place in the coming weeks to discuss the site's own installation of CCTV.
Andy Hayes, senior operations manager at Home Group, said: 'We were contacted by customers of Greens Place who informed us that CCTV cameras had been installed in the property and that they were concerned about their privacy.
'After investigation, it was found that some customers had installed CCTV cameras without permission. We asked them to take them down.
'Our customers then requested retroactive permission, which was wrongly granted by a new employee.
'We have written to our customers explaining that this was an error on our behalf. We apologized for that, but informed them that they had to remove the cameras.
'We generally allow CCTV to be installed, but these must comply with our change policy. Due to the layout of Greens Place properties, we have had to refuse permission as it is not possible to install cameras in a way that sufficiently respects the privacy of other customers.
'Once again we apologize for the initial mistake made, but we must respect the privacy of our customers.'
