Alarms

Alarm systems are a worthwhile investment in protecting your home and family. Studies reveal that it is far less likely that you will become the victim of a burglary at home if you have a correctly-fitted and well-maintained burglar alarm.

The variety of alarms and their fitting is a complex subject. As a starting point, you should always make sure an installation meets British Standards (BS 4737/BS EN 50131). It is worth bearing in mind that hard-wired systems can be more reliable than many wire-free or DIY packages on the market, plus they are more likely to conform to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Intruder Alarm Policy.

Police response times
If you are thinking about installing an alarm system in your home, it is worth taking into account that police response to alarm activations varies according to the type of alarm installed. In recent years, more than 92% of alarm activations across the country have been false alarms caused by equipment, communication or user error. As a result, the Police have adopted an ACPO Unified Intruder Alarm Policy, in which two types of alarms are defined, together with the relevant police response.

Installation costs
You may find that the cost of fitting an alarm system is lower than you originally anticipated. If several houses in a street or Neighbourhood Watch scheme are considering installing alarm systems, it is possible that an installer may give a discount for multiple installations. What’s more, the cost of an installation might be partly offset by reduced household insurance premiums.

For more advice
Your local Crime Prevention Officer will be able to give you additional guidance if you need it. The Metropolitan Police website is also a good source of information.