While cameras aren’t allowed inside most holiday rentals and hidden cameras are strictly prohibited, some people still manage to spy on unsuspecting guests while they change clothes, shower, or have intimate moments, a private detective has warned. Guests are reported to have found hidden cameras in clocks, light fittings or mirrors, but according to bug-sweeping experts Bond Rees, there’s a new trend to be cautious of, especially if your holiday rental has an outside pool or jacuzzi.

Aaron Bond, private investigator and director of Bond Rees said: “We’ve seen criminals become smarter and they have started to use more advanced equipment which can be hidden outdoors. They seem to be targeting holiday lets that couples would use that include facilities such as jacuzzis.”

“This has frightening consequences as they are trying to capture guests in their most intimate moments. While these moments are expected to be private, you can never know who is watching and what intentions they may have.”

What to look out for

While spy cameras are illegal, it’s important to know how to spot them in your holiday rental, even though discovering one is rare. Being aware of what to look for can help ensure the safety and privacy of you and your family.

“Unlike internal hidden cameras which can be connected to the mains, external cameras need their own power supply so are often larger in size. Because of this, you would think they would be easier to find, but most of the time they blend into their surroundings well as they are camouflaged.”

“The typical size of an external covert camera is around the size of a house brick, because of this they often are hidden in bushes or longer areas of grass. If you have booked a holiday rental and want to be safe then your first step should be to inspect all of the land within a 20-foot radius of the property, If you have access to a garden rake you can use that to comb through the grass and hedge,” says Aaron.

Finding a lens

Raking through the grass or under bushes is the first step in keeping safe according to the private investigator, but it may not discover the camera on the first sweep.

Aaron says “If you didn’t find anything with the rake, you still aren’t safe yet. My next step would be to wait until it goes dark and then get a powerful torch, anything above 1000 lumens in power will work and shine it into the bushes, especially concentrating on the areas close to your hot tub. If there are cameras covertly installed you should now be able to see the reflection of the lens.”

Discovering a camera and keeping safe

No one wants to find a camera at their holiday rental, but if you do the next steps you take are important.

“Hidden cameras are illegal and you should phone the police on discovery of the camera. The camera could belong to the owner of the property, a neighbour or even a previous guest and there is no way of knowing their intentions. For your safety you should call the police and then get out of that rental immediately,” warns Aaron.