Smart video doorbells, once hailed as the essential home security gadget, are now being blamed for fuelling a sharp increase in arguments between neighbours across Scotland. New police data reveals that disputes between those living side-by-side have risen in every single police division.
Police Data Points to Widespread Tensions
Police Scotland confirmed that neighbour disputes increased nationally in the six months between April and September last year, compared to the same period in 2024. The force also noted a rise in reports of public nuisance and communication incidents. A formal police report stated: ‘Neighbour disputes, public nuisances and communications incidents are on the rise.’ It emphasised that ‘Neighbour disputes, in particular, have increased in every police division compared to last year.’
While these disputes have climbed, overall incidents of antisocial behaviour and disorder saw a slight decrease during that period. Data shows there were nearly 138,500 antisocial behaviour incidents and over 96,600 disorder complaints, figures marginally down on the previous year.
Doorbells: A Source of Evidence and Conflict
These popular gadgets are playing a dual role. They frequently provide crucial evidence in disputes, but are also becoming a common source of the complaints themselves. A spokesman for Glasgow City Council, Scotland's largest local authority, said anecdotally it is 'becoming more common for these cameras to provide evidence and also, in some cases, the source of information that generates complaints.'
The council's community relations team, which focuses on resolving antisocial behaviour through support and early intervention, also experienced a rise in reported incidents last year. The most frequent complaints involved loud music or parties, threats, harassment, and vandalism.
Privacy Concerns and Legal Boundaries
Beyond capturing disputes, the doorbells can themselves become the subject of privacy rows. If devices capture footage or audio beyond the boundaries of the owner's private property, they can breach data protection laws, potentially leading to fines and legal action. This often occurs when cameras record images of a neighbour's front door or garden.
Experts suggest tensions initially spiked during pandemic lockdowns and have persisted with the rise of working from home. People are now more sensitive to noise and activity that may have gone unnoticed when they were out at the office.
Local Case Highlights Community Friction
One high-profile neighbour dispute that gained media attention centres on an artist in Dalgety Bay, Fife. Denis Carbonaro amassed a collection of items in his front garden for an art exhibit called 'Bark Park'. After months of calls from neighbours to remove the items, he agreed in December to explore moving the installation.
Police Scotland says it is working directly with communities in areas with high numbers of complaints to understand and address local concerns. Meanwhile, Glasgow City Council advises residents to try and resolve differences amicably before situations escalate and offers a mediation service to assist.
The council spokesman added: ‘Our community team mainly deals with antisocial behaviour... The most common complaints are excessive noise and harassment and our staff will most often provide advice and guidance.’
