Abstract: A method for monitoring movement of an element such as a cable is carried out by providing a pair of conductive elements each extending along an extent of the cable or other element to be monitored. A DC potential difference is applied between the conductive elements. The conductive elements are provided with an intervening material therebetween, which can be a continuous dielectric or can be other insulating material which varies in spacing and capacitance value along its length, such that the movement causes a change in capacitive coupling between the conductive elements at points or areas where the movement occurs so as to generate a changing voltage therebetween. The changing voltage as an amplified and filtered variable electrical signal is analyzed for monitoring the changing voltage for perturbations caused by the movement of the element.