Deter burglars – or even spy on your pet

SPY CAMERAS

GADGET SIX: SECURITY CAMERA (NEST CAM IQ)

SURVEILLANCE equipment – everything from movement sensors and spy cameras through to face recognition – has also gone smart.

There is a bewildering variety from which to choose but they all work on the same principle. A camera sits in your home and informs you via your mobile if it sees anything to worry about.

Among the gadgets available are the £160 Canary, the £250 Netatmo Presence and the £130 Y-Cam Evo.

There is also the Nest Cam IQ, pictured, costing a hefty £299 but coming with an array of high-tech extras. It can scan the face of anyone within view and if it is not recognised re it will alert a you and send you the image. In addition you not only o hear what is being b said but can talk back via your mobile. The Th set-up is simple. Download Do an app, scan sca a barcode and plug plu the camera into a wall socket. Not everyone will welcome an Orwellian spy camera into their life but it is an attractive proposition to many and has applications other than crime prevention. For instance, you can keep an eye on your cat or dog while away from home.

Leigh Calton, who runs Cerulean Digital consultancy, in Poole, Dorset, says: ‘The insurance industry is still wary of using camera technology to help lower premiums for customers, but if it deters burglars it offers great value for money.’

Smart security systems are not always compatible with each other so you should check before buying.