Caught on Camera: How Technology Helped Uncover Suspicious Activity in My Neighbourhood

It was nearly midnight when I was about to head to bed, and then I saw my front PIR light sensor flicker. I checked the camera, and there were two people walking by. At first, it seemed normal, but their actions were anything but. They were behaving suspiciously—looking into cars and walking slowly in front of houses, almost as if they were inspecting the area. Their behaviour immediately raised red flags.

Suspicious Behaviour: Identifying Red Flags in the Neighbourhood

I kept watching, and just 15 minutes later, I saw them again, this time behind my house near the garages. But here’s where things escalated: one of them was now wearing a balaclava. I knew immediately that this wasn’t just random behaviour. This was a potential break-in in progress.

Recognising the Suspects: The Importance of Clothing and Footwear in Identifying Criminals

I recognised one of the individuals from earlier; the guy wearing the black jacket with reflective colours stood out. I also noticed that both were wearing Nike TN Airmax shoes with reflective lines, which made them easier to spot. By recognising their distinctive clothing, I was able to identify them if they returned to the area.

Break-In Confirmed: How Neighbourhood Vigilance Helped Catch the Criminals

The next morning, I saw the mechanic walking past the garages with another person. I texted him about the suspicious activity I had observed the previous night. He called back immediately, confirming that someone had broken into one of the mechanic’s garages and stolen a bike. It became clear that the suspicious behaviour I had witnessed wasn’t random—it was linked to a burglary.

Using the Nextdoor App for Community Alerts: Connecting Suspicious Activity to Local Crime

After hearing about the bike theft, I decided to search the Nextdoor app to see if anyone else had reported suspicious activity. I discovered a thread about a burglary in the neighbourhood just a few streets away. A new neighbour had been robbed shortly after moving in, making me think these same individuals were targeting vulnerable newcomers.

Spreading Awareness: Sharing Video Evidence to Help Prevent Future Crime

I sent the footage and images from my cameras to both the mechanic and the neighbour who had been robbed. My goal was simple: to raise awareness and share the evidence with the local community. If anyone saw these individuals again, they would be able to recognise them and report them to the authorities.

How Sharing Information on Social Media Can Help Prevent Burglary

I’m fairly certain these two are regulars at the local corner shop, petrol station, or Chinese takeaway. By circulating the images and videos, I hope to make the community more aware. Everyone has a better chance of identifying these suspects, preventing further crimes and burglary incidents in our neighbourhood.

The Role of Technology in Community Safety: Using CCTV and Local Apps for Crime Prevention

This experience was a reminder that technology—whether it’s security cameras or apps like Nextdoor—can be a powerful tool in protecting our communities. If I hadn’t checked the cameras, I wouldn’t have caught the suspicious behaviour. If I hadn’t shared the footage, others might not have connected the dots. Each small action led to a bigger one, and by sharing information, we can all help keep our neighbourhoods safe.

-Andy