Alarms around your home or business premises offer both reassurance and protection. Getting a police response from your burglar alarm is an option that offers you extra security and safety measures. But it also means you need to understand the appropriate use for police response alarms and how they work to make sure it is the right security system for you.
Alarm monitoring:
To get a police response, you either need an alarm receiving centre (ARC) or additional information to confirm that your property is at risk, such as unusual activity. Relying on neighbours to report this unusual activity can leave your property's protection up to chance so if you're considering a police linked alarm, it's advisable to have a receiving centre. This means that your alarm will notify a monitoring station who will then contact the police. It will also notify key holders so you can rest assured that if your property is at risk, someone will be there promptly.
Alarm maintenance:
Alarms need to be maintained to a high standard in order to comply with police policy and avoid false call-outs and wasted police time. This means that regular checks and inspections are required to your alarms. They also need to be kept up to date with the police records to offer you maximum security. You'll be given a unique reference number that you can use to notify the police of updated names or addresses. The police will not accept a call when the name or address does not match the police record.
Regulations:
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) are trying to limit the number of false security alarms so that all police alerts are answered to a high standard. They have stated that they will only respond to alarms that are installed by NSI or SSAIB approved companies. Alarms approved by these two main regulatory bodies ensure the police that their attendance is necessary.
The Avon and Somerset police aim to respond to immediate calls within fifteen minutes. To keep this standard up, more than three false calls a year will result in an administration fee and you will no longer receive a response from the police unless you can prove a better standard of security alarm.
BWS Standfast is registered with the Avon and Somerset Constabulary and has been approved by the NSI to Gold Standard. We specialise in installing burglar alarms in Bristol and the surrounding area that fit all legal requirements. Plus, we offer alarm maintenance on three different levels according to your requirements. For more information on linking your burglar alarm to the police, please contact us via the web form, email us, or give us a call.
