For their part the police service – through the Association of Chief Police Officers – has been a strong advocate of BS 8418:2003. They have a vested interest in the success of this Code of Practice, recognising the potential it offers for driving down the number of unnecessary call-outs (which are a considerable burden on their already limited resources).
Police forces will have a critical role to play in ensuring BS 8418’s success. ACPO has already confirmed that the issuing of a URN for a detector-activated CCTV system is conditional on compliance with the Code of Practice.
Designated Type A, such systems will automatically benefit from a Level 1 police response (effectively an immediate response). This contrasts with non-compliant systems – Type B – where no police response will be forthcoming unless compelling evidence can be provided that an event is in progress.
Looking ahead, the ‘carrot and stick’ approach adopted by the police with regard to URNs should pay dividends, making false alarm rates of 5-10% a realistic prospect.
