Families in Adelaide’s north‑east are on edge after a mystery security camera was found strapped to a tree and pointed towards a playground and a primary school.

The solar‑powered device was discovered hidden among gum trees at Queensborough Reserve, with a clear line of sight to Hillcrest Primary School, a scout hall and a community centre.

WATCH ABOVE: Local man finds ‘weird’ solar powered camera pointing directly at a Adelaide school

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Local resident Lyall Pearce told 7NEWS he spotted the camera while looking up at the trees.

“Looking up in the trees just admiring the gum trees as usual and noticed a webcam,” he said.

“Having a camera sort of strapped up with a piece of wire as opposed to when you see them on houses and security, it seemed weird.”

He said the device appeared to be aimed directly at the busy playground and a pathway regularly used by schoolchildren during pick‑up and drop‑off.

A camera has been found in a Adelaide park Credit: 7NEWS

Marissa Carter, who visits the reserve with her family, said the discovery was unsettling.

“It’s a bit worrying because we come to this park a lot, it’s concerning there is a camera here doing God knows doing what. So yeah, it’s terrifying.”

Pearce reported the camera to Port Adelaide Enfield Council, which referred the matter to police.

“The police looked a bit confused because not as though they’d seen something like this happen before,” he said.

Lyall Pearce found the camera in the tree Credit: 7NEWS

Officers have since removed the device and sent it for forensic examination, but who installed it — and why — remains unknown.

Pearce says locals are baffled.

“Maybe the pigeon fanciers put up the camera, or the scouts, but you’d put it on your building, wouldn’t you? You wouldn’t put it on a public tree,” he said.

“I think it’s disgusting. We’ve got kids that play there, you’ve got plenty of families in the street,” a local said.

Police say they are investigating.