As Brits prepare for a summer holiday or , security experts have warned of a rising number of hidden cameras being found in or . Now they have told the Daily Express of the top five places to have a quick check when you book in for a night or week's stay, to check no-one is sneakily spying on you and your family.

The experts at stress that most holiday lets and hotels are completely safe and camera-free. But over 35,000 have been logged globally by Airbnb guests, with some travellers even discovering cameras disguised as smoke detectors, clocks, and plug-in devices.

Now, those particularly concerned about their privacy may want to know where to check to make sure they aren't being surveilled.

Online Spy Shop say the problem is "growing, not shrinking"-and guests should be doing a 5-point sweep the moment they walk into a room.

Here are the top five places where hidden cameras are most often found, according to the professionals.

1. Smoke detectors

Smoke detectors are high up, central, and rarely questioned. That makes them ideal for surveillance.

Hidden cameras can be built directly into fake or tampered smoke detectors, giving a perfect wide-angle view of the bed or room. If you notice a detector in a strange spot-say, on a wall instead of the ceiling-it might be worth a closer look.

2. Alarm clocks and digital radios

Many modern alarm clocks now double as Bluetooth speakers or charging docks-and that bulk gives plenty of room for a small lens.

Online Spy Shop says they've seen fully functional alarm clocks with built-in Wi-Fi spy cams disguised behind the display screen.

A sudden "tech upgrade" in a budget hotel room could be a red flag.

3. Plug-in air fresheners, purifiers, or chargers

They seem harmless-maybe even helpful-but plug-in devices are a classic disguise for spy gear.

Because they're always connected to power, they allow cameras to run continuously. One Airbnb guest in Ireland recently found a camera hidden inside what appeared to be a plug-in nightlight.

If a device feels out of place or unusually positioned to face a bed or shower, unplug it and inspect it closely.

4. Mirrors and picture frames

Mirrors are often used in surveillance because they create natural blind spots-and in some cases, they're not what they seem.

Two-way mirrors, in particular, can conceal small recording devices. An easy trick? Put your finger against the glass. If there's no visible gap between your fingertip and its reflection, it could be a two-way mirror.

Likewise, picture frames can conceal pinhole cameras behind artwork or in the corners of the frame.

5. Wall outlets and light switches

Few people check the power sockets or light fittings-but these are increasingly being used to embed ultra-small lenses.

In some spy shop models, the socket works as normal but secretly streams video. These fake fixtures are often placed to face the bed or bathroom door, capturing maximum footage with minimal detection.

What the experts say:

A spokesperson for Online Spy Shop, the UK's leading spy/hidden camera experts, said:

"We're seeing a significant rise in cases where guests feel watched-and it's not just paranoia. Hidden cameras are getting smaller, cheaper, and easier to buy.

"If something in the room looks out of place or overly high-tech for the setting, give it a second look. It's better to feel silly for checking than regret not doing so."