A BBC documentary found spy cameras secretly filming women online

In the UK, filming someone is not a crime in itself.

For example, in public places, people are often allowed to show a movie that is shown to them.

Secret recording becomes a crime for several reasons, including if The voyeurism, Externalthe filming takes place in an environment where the person being filmed has privacy or is likely to cause harassment or alarm.

A domestic abuse charity has called for tighter controls on covert surveillance devices and better police training to identify and investigate their use.

“Of particular concern is how accessible and affordable these devices are, allowing more criminals to use them as a means of control,” said Bo Bottomley, head of policy and public affairs.

In the past year, referrals for technology-enabled abuse have increased by 78%.

But the charity says almost every person it supports has experienced technology-enabled abuse, and reports of hidden cameras and microphones being used in homes have increased.

A spokeswoman for Women’s Aid Wales said: “This type of surreptitious surveillance can rob a person of their sense of privacy and security.”

The charity warned that the damage was far greater than the initial footage, with shared images and videos taking a toll on victims’ lives and leaving many feeling unsafe even in their own homes.

“This type of abuse is particularly challenging to measure. Many survivors don’t know it’s happening to them,” he added.

He called on tech companies to act quickly to remove shared surveillance camera footage and provide information to police to identify those responsible.

The UK government has been asked to comment.

Hunting for Spycams will be available on BBC YouTube channels and BBC iPlayer from Wednesday 15 July.