NEWS – “without comment”
Can Surveillance Cameras Have Audio?
Ron Harrison | 7 Jun 2026
Many modern cameras do feature built-in audio capabilities, such as microphones for “listen-in” and this is perfectly legal in the UK, but their use is strictly regulated. Specific covert cameras for surveillance come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and can be used to record both visual and audio at close range. This footage will need to be carefully edited when presenting to the client to ensure no other parties feature, but an unedited copy is always kept for any legal proceedings.
Is Surveillance Legal
The first thing we should ask “is surveillance legal” Yes surveillance in UK is legal, it is particularly important that surveillance is conducted in a public place, to be in accordance with RIPA – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulation-of-investigatory-powers-act-2000-ripa/regulation-of-investigatory-powers-act-2000-ripa – although as a private company this is not actually necessary, it is best practice. It may be necessary to follow the subject for a long period of time, whilst in a public place, on foot, in a vehicle, on public transport, entering shopping malls, pubs and restaurants. It is very important to identify people they meet and if possible, record the conversations, but sometimes they meet with people who have nothing to do with the assignment, care must be taken not to identify them, the same with children. The camera never lies!
What Is Surveillance
The covert observation or monitoring of a person by whatever means; for the purpose of a specific investigation or specific operation to lawfully gather intelligence / evidence, for crime, adultery, information or intelligence. Basically, following someone around to see what they get up to, without being identified.
Surveillance is literally following the subject wherever they go, recording movements and who they meet, carried out by an experienced team to gather specific evidence or intelligence in order to prove or disprove the specific request from the client, we do not believe in one-man surveillance, it is unprofessional, we would recommend deploying a minimum of a three-man team, but with protracted surveillance we often have to use a larger team so as not to be compromised. The purpose of surveillance is to gather intelligence and monitor movements. It spans multiple sectors, adapting its goals to fit specific operational needs.
To read the full article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/can-surveillance-cameras-have-audio-ron-harrison-fgboe/
Reposted by kind consent of,
Ron Harrison – MD at Surelock
Past President of The Association of British Investigators, Consultant for the BBC.
Security Consultant to businesses and personnel with a team of private investigators.
https://www.surelock.org/
Posted by: Ian (D. Withers)
www.WAPI.org
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