Burglar alarms?
Discussion
After a recent burglary, a friend wants to fit an alarm. Any advice on these?
Wired or wireless? They do not really want wires everywhere.
They have cats which will be in the house during the day and downstairs at night, what are the solutions re PIRs.
What about 'monitoring' or the system, calling or texting when the alarm goes off, what are the options?
They have had quotes between £500-£600. This is for around 6 PIR's and the relevant boxes.
One system uses personal 'key-fobs' to operate the system. Any advise?
Wired or wireless? They do not really want wires everywhere.
They have cats which will be in the house during the day and downstairs at night, what are the solutions re PIRs.
What about 'monitoring' or the system, calling or texting when the alarm goes off, what are the options?
They have had quotes between £500-£600. This is for around 6 PIR's and the relevant boxes.
One system uses personal 'key-fobs' to operate the system. Any advise?
Do burger alarms actually stop you being burgalarised?
All they seem to do is pi$$ folk off when they start wailing. But not enough for them to actually get up off the sofa, go round and have a look. "Someone else will deal with it, it'll be a false alarm anyway"
We have an alarm but it's disconnected. In our old house we had one too but never turneed it on for 10years - always had a dog though.
I think just having a dummy box visible and maybe a CCTV (dummy) camera would be just as effective.
Justh thinking out loud though.
All they seem to do is pi$$ folk off when they start wailing. But not enough for them to actually get up off the sofa, go round and have a look. "Someone else will deal with it, it'll be a false alarm anyway"
We have an alarm but it's disconnected. In our old house we had one too but never turneed it on for 10years - always had a dog though.
I think just having a dummy box visible and maybe a CCTV (dummy) camera would be just as effective.
Justh thinking out loud though.
dave_s13 said:
Do burger alarms actually stop you being burgalarised?
All they seem to do is pi$$ folk off when they start wailing. But not enough for them to actually get up off the sofa, go round and have a look. "Someone else will deal with it, it'll be a false alarm anyway"
We have an alarm but it's disconnected. In our old house we had one too but never turneed it on for 10years - always had a dog though.
I think just having a dummy box visible and maybe a CCTV (dummy) camera would be just as effective.
Justh thinking out loud though.
IT is more for their peace of mind, they are now scared stiff the bAll they seem to do is pi$$ folk off when they start wailing. But not enough for them to actually get up off the sofa, go round and have a look. "Someone else will deal with it, it'll be a false alarm anyway"
We have an alarm but it's disconnected. In our old house we had one too but never turneed it on for 10years - always had a dog though.
I think just having a dummy box visible and maybe a CCTV (dummy) camera would be just as effective.
Justh thinking out loud though.
ds will come back. Also the Police did say an alarm is a deterrent, your average burglar will walk straight past a house with an alarm. same view here
either go for an expensive fully monitored system, where someone will be sent out to react
or dummy box for £20 to deter the druggie opportunists to go to the next easier house
get a cheaper system, unmonitored, and all I see are downsides; you have to remember to set it and use it, if not you get into the routine of worrying that you havnt, when it goes off people are annoyed, but its a regular occurance in most towns to hear alarms, so no-one actually does anything
If you have £100K of jewelry at home, Id have a safe, strong locks etc etc
but for the average joe I dont see how an alarm makes any difference, other than to your pocket, a £20 dummy box, proper window and door locks will do the job
if they *really* want something you have and are pros, they will get around a £500 alarm in minutes anyway ..
either go for an expensive fully monitored system, where someone will be sent out to react
or dummy box for £20 to deter the druggie opportunists to go to the next easier house
get a cheaper system, unmonitored, and all I see are downsides; you have to remember to set it and use it, if not you get into the routine of worrying that you havnt, when it goes off people are annoyed, but its a regular occurance in most towns to hear alarms, so no-one actually does anything
If you have £100K of jewelry at home, Id have a safe, strong locks etc etc
but for the average joe I dont see how an alarm makes any difference, other than to your pocket, a £20 dummy box, proper window and door locks will do the job
if they *really* want something you have and are pros, they will get around a £500 alarm in minutes anyway ..
While I don't wish to tempt fate, a number of houses on our road have been burgled in the past 18 months, including both neighbours.
We've an ADT alarm, they had nothing.
Undoubtedly the thieves have been in our back garden and MUST have looked through our back doors and windows and seen tv & laptops.
I believe an alarm IS a deterrent.
We've an ADT alarm, they had nothing.
Undoubtedly the thieves have been in our back garden and MUST have looked through our back doors and windows and seen tv & laptops.
I believe an alarm IS a deterrent.
Vee said:
While I don't wish to tempt fate, a number of houses on our road have been burgled in the past 18 months, including both neighbours.
We've an ADT alarm, they had nothing.
Undoubtedly the thieves have been in our back garden and MUST have looked through our back doors and windows and seen tv & laptops.
I believe an alarm IS a deterrent.
How much does the ADT system cost?We've an ADT alarm, they had nothing.
Undoubtedly the thieves have been in our back garden and MUST have looked through our back doors and windows and seen tv & laptops.
I believe an alarm IS a deterrent.
Just to add, physical security is high, all doors and windows are aluminium, all windows were fixed and locked when the burglary happened. They forced open a window using a screw driver and bar, totally bent all the metalwork, the window was so badly damaged it has had to be replaced.
Vee said:
Wired system with monitoring (including fire/smoke alarm).
It was approx £800 7 years ago so not sure what it might cost now.
It's about the same It was approx £800 7 years ago so not sure what it might cost now.
We've just had an ADT system installed in our new place (our second ADT system) It's got the usual selection of PIR's and contacts plus shock sensors on the patio and side doors. It also has the fire system included, panic buttons etc. I think we paid a shade over £800 for it. (It's monitored 24/7 as well)
It actually worked as a cracking deterrent the other night when it went off, full bells and whistles at 4am. Turns out some opportunist scrote has opened the garage* (It was closed but not locked) in search of booty. Cue instant alarm and a transit van scarpering off sharpish
- We live on a new build estate and lots of house around us are unoccupied with their garages full to the brim with building supplies...
Here is my view (as an ex-installation and service engineer for one of the big operators)
A burglar alarm system is worthwhile installing once you have made your proerty as secure as you can. (Decent door locks, window locks, hinge bolts etc)
Also make the points of access difficult. (Can someone easily get round the back of your house/garden where they can attempt entry without being noticed?)
Monitored alarms are great in theory, but to actually get a police response, you need a system that will perform confirmed reporting. In practice, this means that two or more sensors need to be triggered before the monitoring station will call the police. A single sensor triggered means that they will call the keyholder.
Bearing in mind that burglars can be in and out of a house having done the damage and lifted items in around three minutes, it is unlikely they will be caught in the act, unless plod can get to site in three minutes after having been called by the monitoring centre.
So, if you have the funds, a monitored alarm is a great idea, and will probably help on insurance premiums - otherwise a local system (sirens only) should generate enough interest from nosey neighbours.
Whether people take notice of the alarm is a different matter. It depends on the reliability of the system. I have a fairly comprehensive system on my house, and a seperate system (albeit linked to the main system) on my garage. In nine years, I have had two false alarms - one caused by a faulty PIR, and one caused by a damaged cable in the garage. On both occasions I was in the locality (just popped to the local shops) and got home within minutes of the system going off, (having recieved a text from my house to tell me) - to find neighbours crawling over the place.
I was told by the neighbours that "Your alarm never goes off - so when we heard it, we thought we'd take a look."
So reliability is key.
A properly installed DIY system, using decent components can be as reliable as a full blown professional install by one of the big operators (ADT, Chubb etc)
I know that there are a few PHers who install for a living - and am sure they will be along presently!
But I still maintain that fitting an alarm should come AFTER making your property difficult to get into in the first place. If you don't have the funds to do both, do the physical security and fit a dummy box (£20), then fit a decent system when funds allow. Not difficult these days to get a dummy box that has the branding and logos of a major player
ETA: Just read that your physical security was already good..... is there any reason that they picked on you rather than another in the locality that may have had weaker physical security? Were you targetted for car keys perhaps?
A burglar alarm system is worthwhile installing once you have made your proerty as secure as you can. (Decent door locks, window locks, hinge bolts etc)
Also make the points of access difficult. (Can someone easily get round the back of your house/garden where they can attempt entry without being noticed?)
Monitored alarms are great in theory, but to actually get a police response, you need a system that will perform confirmed reporting. In practice, this means that two or more sensors need to be triggered before the monitoring station will call the police. A single sensor triggered means that they will call the keyholder.
Bearing in mind that burglars can be in and out of a house having done the damage and lifted items in around three minutes, it is unlikely they will be caught in the act, unless plod can get to site in three minutes after having been called by the monitoring centre.
So, if you have the funds, a monitored alarm is a great idea, and will probably help on insurance premiums - otherwise a local system (sirens only) should generate enough interest from nosey neighbours.
Whether people take notice of the alarm is a different matter. It depends on the reliability of the system. I have a fairly comprehensive system on my house, and a seperate system (albeit linked to the main system) on my garage. In nine years, I have had two false alarms - one caused by a faulty PIR, and one caused by a damaged cable in the garage. On both occasions I was in the locality (just popped to the local shops) and got home within minutes of the system going off, (having recieved a text from my house to tell me) - to find neighbours crawling over the place.
I was told by the neighbours that "Your alarm never goes off - so when we heard it, we thought we'd take a look."
So reliability is key.
A properly installed DIY system, using decent components can be as reliable as a full blown professional install by one of the big operators (ADT, Chubb etc)
I know that there are a few PHers who install for a living - and am sure they will be along presently!
But I still maintain that fitting an alarm should come AFTER making your property difficult to get into in the first place. If you don't have the funds to do both, do the physical security and fit a dummy box (£20), then fit a decent system when funds allow. Not difficult these days to get a dummy box that has the branding and logos of a major player
ETA: Just read that your physical security was already good..... is there any reason that they picked on you rather than another in the locality that may have had weaker physical security? Were you targetted for car keys perhaps?
Edited by Meeja on Friday 24th September 12:01
bogie said:
if they *really* want something you have and are pros, they will get around a £500 alarm in minutes anyway ..
Or they'd just ignore it, let it go off, and play the rule of "We've got three minutes before anyone bothers rocking up"You could shield your property in a £1m titanium shell. If an uninvited guest really wants in, they will find a way.
Meeja said:
Here is my view (as an ex-installation and service engineer for one of the big operators)
A burglar alarm system is worthwhile installing once you have made your proerty as secure as you can. (Decent door locks, window locks, hinge bolts etc)
Also make the points of access difficult. (Can someone easily get round the back of your house/garden where they can attempt entry without being noticed?)
Monitored alarms are great in theory, but to actually get a police response, you need a system that will perform confirmed reporting. In practice, this means that two or more sensors need to be triggered before the monitoring station will call the police. A single sensor triggered means that they will call the keyholder.
Bearing in mind that burglars can be in and out of a house having done the damage and lifted items in around three minutes, it is unlikely they will be caught in the act, unless plod can get to site in three minutes after having been called by the monitoring centre.
So, if you have the funds, a monitored alarm is a great idea, and will probably help on insurance premiums - otherwise a local system (sirens only) should generate enough interest from nosey neighbours.
Whether people take notice of the alarm is a different matter. It depends on the reliability of the system. I have a fairly comprehensive system on my house, and a seperate system (albeit linked to the main system) on my garage. In nine years, I have had two false alarms - one caused by a faulty PIR, and one caused by a damaged cable in the garage. On both occasions I was in the locality (just popped to the local shops) and got home within minutes of the system going off, (having recieved a text from my house to tell me) - to find neighbours crawling over the place.
I was told by the neighbours that "Your alarm never goes off - so when we heard it, we thought we'd take a look."
So reliability is key.
A properly installed DIY system, using decent components can be as reliable as a full blown professional install by one of the big operators (ADT, Chubb etc)
I know that there are a few PHers who install for a living - and am sure they will be along presently!
But I still maintain that fitting an alarm should come AFTER making your property difficult to get into in the first place. If you don't have the funds to do both, do the physical security and fit a dummy box (£20), then fit a decent system when funds allow. Not difficult these days to get a dummy box that has the branding and logos of a major player
ETA: Just read that your physical security was already good..... is there any reason that they picked on you rather than another in the locality that may have had weaker physical security? Were you targetted for car keys perhaps?
Yes car was stolen off the drive and used as a getaway.A burglar alarm system is worthwhile installing once you have made your proerty as secure as you can. (Decent door locks, window locks, hinge bolts etc)
Also make the points of access difficult. (Can someone easily get round the back of your house/garden where they can attempt entry without being noticed?)
Monitored alarms are great in theory, but to actually get a police response, you need a system that will perform confirmed reporting. In practice, this means that two or more sensors need to be triggered before the monitoring station will call the police. A single sensor triggered means that they will call the keyholder.
Bearing in mind that burglars can be in and out of a house having done the damage and lifted items in around three minutes, it is unlikely they will be caught in the act, unless plod can get to site in three minutes after having been called by the monitoring centre.
So, if you have the funds, a monitored alarm is a great idea, and will probably help on insurance premiums - otherwise a local system (sirens only) should generate enough interest from nosey neighbours.
Whether people take notice of the alarm is a different matter. It depends on the reliability of the system. I have a fairly comprehensive system on my house, and a seperate system (albeit linked to the main system) on my garage. In nine years, I have had two false alarms - one caused by a faulty PIR, and one caused by a damaged cable in the garage. On both occasions I was in the locality (just popped to the local shops) and got home within minutes of the system going off, (having recieved a text from my house to tell me) - to find neighbours crawling over the place.
I was told by the neighbours that "Your alarm never goes off - so when we heard it, we thought we'd take a look."
So reliability is key.
A properly installed DIY system, using decent components can be as reliable as a full blown professional install by one of the big operators (ADT, Chubb etc)
I know that there are a few PHers who install for a living - and am sure they will be along presently!
But I still maintain that fitting an alarm should come AFTER making your property difficult to get into in the first place. If you don't have the funds to do both, do the physical security and fit a dummy box (£20), then fit a decent system when funds allow. Not difficult these days to get a dummy box that has the branding and logos of a major player
ETA: Just read that your physical security was already good..... is there any reason that they picked on you rather than another in the locality that may have had weaker physical security? Were you targetted for car keys perhaps?
Edited by Meeja on Friday 24th September 12:01
I've always wondered about these 'monitored' systems.. how's that work then ?
Do they call the police for you ? ( waste of time..) or do they have a van of heavies in each general locality, that they send round ?
Neither actually sound like they are going to catch the scrotes, and since they cant tell from then outside what alarm system you have, maybe the money is better spent on a realistic dummy alarm for the outside, and very good contents cover for inside..
Do they call the police for you ? ( waste of time..) or do they have a van of heavies in each general locality, that they send round ?
Neither actually sound like they are going to catch the scrotes, and since they cant tell from then outside what alarm system you have, maybe the money is better spent on a realistic dummy alarm for the outside, and very good contents cover for inside..
Nimbus said:
I've always wondered about these 'monitored' systems.. how's that work then ?
Alarm system on your house is linked via a phone line (or GSM) or comnibation of both to a monitoring centre.Monitoring centre can see when the system is activated. (one sensor activated) Monitoring staff then contact a keyholder to inform them. If a second sensor is activated, then the likelihood of a false alarm is minimal, and it generally means someone is on the premises. Monitoring centre contact the police and tell them that a "confirmed" activation has occurred at the premises, and plod respond accordingly. To be fair, my company has had two confirmed activations in six years, on one occasion alarm went off at 05:02:30 (hh:mm:ss), confirmed status at 05:02:33, police notified at 05:02:47, police on site at 05:05. Burglar had already fled with nothing. Second occasion response was not so good!
Many companies have a third party security company to act as primary keyholders, so in the event of a false alarm, security company go out to site, check the premises, call an alarm engineer if needed, ensure the building is secure, and go home again - staff who work there or own the company are not disturbed until the following working day.
Nimbus said:
Neither actually sound like they are going to catch the scrotes, and since they cant tell from then outside what alarm system you have, maybe the money is better spent on a realistic dummy alarm for the outside, and very good contents cover for inside..
Fair point - although I think in commercial premises, most scroats expect the system to be monitored, and behave accordingly.If they break in though, and there is no alarm sounding, they know they will have longer on the premises... meaning greater lossses and more damage. If there is an alarm sounding, they will not know whether it is monitored or not, and I suspect will limit their time on the premises to a couple of mintues max.
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