Incredible story behind Sydney house covered in security cameras: ‘People in this neighbourhood are thieves so we don’t trust them’
A house in Hurstville, Sydney, has attracted widespread attention after being fitted with an extraordinary array of security measures, including 24 cameras, 18 searchlights and two reinforced steel gates. Owners Alex and Julie Saikaly, who have lived in the property for more than 30 years, say the elaborate setup reflects their distrust of people in the local area rather than any specific threat, insisting they simply want to protect their home. The story has since gone viral after a former gang member filmed himself visiting the property and questioning the owner about the unusual level of security.
The couple bought the 770-square-metre property in 1991 for $160,000 and have since spent around $60,000 on security, with installation taking more than a month. As well as the cameras and lights, the home features electric roller shutters, barred doors and even chained-up trailers parked outside. A security industry expert described the level of coverage as "probably overkill" for a single-storey home, while footage of Fred Nagi, a former Brothers for Life gang member, touring the property and interviewing Mr Saikaly has drawn significant online interest.
- Sydney home has 24 cameras, 18 lights, two steel gates
- Owners say they don't trust neighbourhood locals
- $60,000 security spend went viral after gang figure's visit
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Hurstville is a suburb in southern Sydney, and this story centres on a family home there that has become known for an unusually heavy security setup, including dozens of cameras and floodlights. The owners, Alex and Julie Saikaly, have lived in the house for more than three decades and say the measures are about general caution rather than any particular incident.
The story reached a wider audience after a visit to the property was filmed and shared online by a man who has previously been linked to a gang, prompting discussion about the owners' choices and the scale of the security on display. Coverage has also included comment from a security industry professional on how the setup compares with typical homes.
The story matters mainly as a human interest and online curiosity piece, touching on themes of home security, neighbourhood trust and how such stories spread and attract attention on social media, rather than reporting on any specific crime or legal matter.