Big Brother author George Orwell’s former home is equipped with a camera on the doorbell to spy on passers-by

BIG Brother author George Orwell’s former home has been fitted with a camera doorbell – to keep an eye on passers-by.

The current owners installed the device outside the £2million home in a move that locals have described as a “pinnacle of irony”.

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Orwell created a totalitarian world of mass surveillance in the 1949 novel 1984.

It is ruled by a dictator who warns citizens, “Big Brother is watching you.”

The main character, Winston Smith, works for the “Ministry of Truth” and has to rewrite historical news articles to support the ruling party’s line.

A local in west London said: “Orwell’s home has a doorbell camera next to a blue plaque celebrating him, which is quite funny.

“He wrote about society being under constant surveillance.

“The camera would have horrified him.”

The owner of the property said: “I was given this camera for my own safety, like most people on this street.”

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