Legality questions, would my recording be admissable?

[Jim]

I have problems with kids throwing things at my house then running up to the store across the park. The way we're set up is I live on a corner lot. Across the street is a school and to the left (looking out my front window) is a huge park area. Across the street between the park and us is a wooden fence. The kids hide behind this fence and throw things like eggs or (as happened Sunday night) a half full can of orange drink which bounced off my front window. Of course they then run like hell.

I can put a security camera in my step-daughter's 1st floor bedroom window that can get a good view of the park area as well as the side garden. I'm ordering an IR flood light that can illuminate this area easily enough. But is it legal for me to do this? If I get images or videos of these little twerps would the police be able to use the images for prosecution or would it be me who then ends up under suspicion? Or is there any clear answer to this? Most of the legalities I've read are clear as muck.

[brian]

To be honest, I wouldn't know off-hand - it may be worth calling your local police station to ask, and additionally ensure they are well aware of the problem (though I suspect they already are).

I think the big problem is whether any action would be taken by the police if they were able to pursue anything - maybe now that ASBO's are in force, then hopefully it will be useful for something.

Either way, definitely recommend co-coordinating this with the local police station.