1. A method for detecting scene events, comprising the steps of: (a) capturing a sequence of background images using a camera; (b) specifying a location of one or a plurality of background linear features, each background linear feature having edge points which are present for most of the images of the background image sequence; (c) computing a state of occlusion of the background linear feature using a computer by; (i) inputting an image from a second image sequence; (ii) applying an edge detection method to the input image at the same location as the background linear feature to detect an input image linear feature; and (iii) comparing the input image linear feature with the background linear feature; such that the state of occlusion of the background linear feature is occluded if a portion of the background linear feature is not present in the input image from the second image sequence, and the state of occlusion of the background linear feature is not occluded if the background linear feature is present in the input image from the second image sequence; (d) creating a definition of a scene description as a plurality of background linear features in an image of said scene together with their state of occlusion; (e) creating a definition of an event as a sequence of scene descriptions; and (f) processing said image sequence to detect the occurrence of one or a plurality of said event.