SSS Management Services, which monitors security systems for some of the biggest names on the High Street, said the number of false activations peaks around Christmas when festive decorations are often put too close to alarm detectors.
In the last two years, SSS saw the number of false activations almost double in November and December, with at least 17 per cent directly triggered by ambitious Christmas displays.
And, the company warns, over-stretched police have issued tough new guidelines that could see stores blacklisted after a single false activation.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) told SSS that, in most cases, more than one false trigger will mean removal of police response to the store for “at least three months”.
In response to this decision, which could increase the burden on store resources and budgets, SSS has launched its ‘Don’t let the trimmings turn you into a Christmas turkey’ campaign to educate retailers about the location of decorations.
However, SSS director David Barrington insisted the tough police rules were not a “bah humbug” to retailers and shoppers.
“Both they and the retailers have very difficult jobs to do in protecting the public and staff,” he said.
“But with up 96 per cent of alarm activations being false you cannot blame officers who are increasingly over-stretched to prioritise their resources and refuse to attend what is likely to be a human-error induced activation.”
Overall, the number of false alarms appears to be decreasing. Figures released by the ACPO in August highlighted a 13.6 per cent reduction in police attendance at false alarm events from April 2006 through to March 2007.
