UK Security Panels

Burglar alarm bells or sirens are very noisy things. When they sound for long periods they can cause a serious noise nuisance. False alarms and faulty systems are the most common cause of prolonged sounding and, if a fault develops while you are on holiday, alarms can sometimes sound for days. This will make your neighbours angry and will probably mean that they do not respond to your alarm in the future. After repeated faults, even the Police will stop responding to calls then the alarm won't be protecting your property at all.

When Pollution Control Section receives complaints of noise from burglar alarms, we are now able to force entry into the property and turn off the alarm. This means we can break into your home.

We have to go to a Magistrate to get an entry warrant, but we can do this even if the alarm has only been sounding for one hour. Before we do this, we have to try and get help from your key-holders. If they are no help, or if they have not been notified to the Police, then we break in.

This makes it even more important that you have key-holders who can respond quickly.

If they cannot respond to turn off the alarm, then we break in.

If we force entry we usually take a Police Officer with us. We must not cause more than the minimum amount of damage and disturbance necessary to gain entry and de-activate the alarm.

Once we have de-activated your alarm, we must re-set it if possible. We must also leave your premises as secure against trespassers as when we started (apart from the alarm being off). If we cannot get into your property (for whatever reason), then we may have to cut off the alarm system from outside.

If your alarm causes a noise nuisance, the Council may decide to prosecute you, If you are found guilty, the Courts can impose fines of up to �5,000 (�20,000 for businesses), This is in addition to you being invoiced for the costs of breaking into your property. To save you these costs, this leaflet explains what you need to do to avoid causing a noise nuisance with your burglar alarm.

New Alarms Since 1st July 1993, anyone who gets a new burglar alarm must make sure that:-

(a) The alarm is fitted with a working cut-out device; and

(b) The Police are notified of the names and addresses of your key-holders and;

(d) The Council is also informed of the address of the Police station to which key-holders have been notified

New Properties Since 1st July 1993, anyone who moves into a house or business premises fitted with an existing, burglar alarm must not allow the alarm to be used until:-

(a) The alarm is fitted with a working cut-out device; and

(b) The Police are notified of the names and addresses of your key-holders; and

All Existing Alarms Since 1st January 1994, everyone whose home or business has an existing burglar alarm must make sure that:-

(a) The alarm is fitted with a working Cutout device. If it has not got a cut-out, then you must get one fitted; and

(b) The Police are notified of the names and addresses of your key-holders.

What you must do

Get a cut-out device

Every alarm installation must be fitted with a working cut-out device. This cut-out device must stop the alarm being heard by people living or working near the property within 20 minutes from the start of the alarm sounding.

An automatic cut-out which stops the alarm sounding would be an appropriate device. After that time, security can be maintained by a flashing light. The cut-out must operate whether the alarm is on battery operation or on mains power. Automatic re-setting is not suitable if it results in the alarm sounding for-20 minutes, stopping, re-setting and then starting making noise again. All bells or sirens must be covered by the cut-out device. For example, if you have an internal siren plus an external bell, then both should be connected through the cut-out. All reputable alarm companies will know the correct type of system to install.

Organise your key-holders

You must have key-holders for your alarm system. The key-holders should be able to undertake two tasks. First, they should be able to let the Police into the property to cheek for a real break-in. Secondly, they should be able to turn off the alarm and/or re-set the alarm. This means that they must have instructions on how to use your alarm system. Ideally, the key-holders should be able to arrive at the property within 20 minutes of being called out.

You must either Organise two persons, other than the occupier, who each hold keys giving them access to the premises. Alternatively, you can use a commercial key-holder service - a company which will hold your keys, which can be contacted at any time and which can then grain access to the premises. Your alarm installers may offer this service, or may know of another company that does.

Notify your key-holders to the Police and to the Council

You must notify your Key-holders to the Police in writing - use the attached form and deliver it or send it to any local Police Station in the Borough. Where one of your key-holders ceases to hold the keys needed to obtain access to the property, you must notify the Police of the name and address of a replacement key-holder.

Where you install a new alarm, or you move into a property, which already has, an alarm, you must also tell the Council the address of the Police Station to which you notified your key-holders. Use the attached form and deliver it or send it to Pollution Control Section. If you install a new alarm, you must notify, Pollution Control Section within 48 hours.