The Council for Civil Liberties is concerned a McDonald’s restaurants live streaming its CCTV footage directly to Police.

The Sydenham store is broadcasting its security video to the Christchurch central police station.

Warning signs, which appear at the cashier and pick up windows, alert customers.

A McDonald's spokesperson said it's something they've been doing for years.

But, Council of Civil Liberties chairperson Thomas Beagle said it's concerning as you don't know when the footage is being used.

"That's actually why we have things like warrants and we have control over what the police can and cannot do in terms of surveillance."

He said it's an escalation of surveillance and needs to be stopped.

"Getting cameras is cheaper, keeping the footage and sending it around is much cheaper. I think that's a concern for all of us and we need to think about that more."