Figures just released by ACPO (‘False alarms still in decline’, SMT, August 2007) covering the period April 2006 through to March 2007 highlight a 13.6% reduction in police attendance at false alarm events.
Commenting on the statistics, BSIA chief executive David Dickinson told SMT: “The reduction in false alarms is testament to the private security industry’s co-operation with the police service on this key issue. The industry has enhanced technology and improved training for customers, in turn realising genuine benefits in terms of saving the police time and valuable resources.”
Dickinson added: “The ACPO statistics also show that over 2,600 people have been arrested during the 12-month period covered by the report solely due to alarm activations. This shows that intruder alarms really can assist in the detection of crime as well as its prevention. It’s clear that a police response to an alarm activation can bring real results.”
More information on the work of the BSIA’s Security Systems Section in relation to false alarms reduction is available online at www.bsia.co.uk
Guidance documents on intruder alarm systems for end users and installers are also available at: www.bsia.co.uk/installers