Hong Kong police probe three suspected cameras in gym changing rooms

Hong Kong police are investigating suspected voyeurism after three pinhole cameras were found in changing rooms at a gym in Sha Tin, the force said. Officers were called to a 24/7 Fitness branch on Lek Yuen Street at 5.11pm on Friday after a suspected camera was discovered in the false ceiling of a changing room. Police said the device appeared to have been attached with black tape.

A search of the premises found three suspected pinhole cameras across three changing rooms, according to the police. The case has been classified as voyeurism. The discovery came after a male gym member posted online that he had noticed an unusually wide seam along the false ceiling.

When he lifted a ceiling panel, he found what appeared to be a pinhole camera secured in place with black tape. The source material did not identify any suspect, say whether anyone had been arrested or state whether footage had been recovered from the devices. It also did not say how long the cameras may have been in place.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery. The gym branch was identified as a 24/7 Fitness location, but the material supplied does not include a statement from the company. Voyeurism in Hong Kong carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

The police classification indicates that the investigation concerns the suspected covert observation or recording of people in circumstances where they would expect privacy. The case follows the discovery of devices in areas used for changing, but the supplied information does not establish who installed them or whether anyone was recorded. Those questions remain part of the police investigation.