Intruder Alarms
How would you feel if you returned home from an enjoyable holiday or weekend away to find that Council Officers had cut off your alarm, or had forcefully entered your property and, to add insult to injury, charged you for the privilege? Angry, I’m sure- but unfortunately this could happen if you are the owner of an audible intruder alarm and have not yet registered keyholder details with your local Environmental Protection Unit.
If you’re like most people you will be able to recall at least one sleepless night caused by a neighbours audible intruder alarm. This is no surprise, considering that the majority of homes in the UK today are protected by an alarm, many of which are not fitted with automatic cut off devices, and therefore have the ability to ring relentlessly until manually deactivated. Noise caused by the activation of audible intruder alarms is a common cause of complaint and can constitute a statutory nuisance under Section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Owners and occupiers who seek to protect their premises, whether private or commercial, by installing an audible intruder alarm, or by taking over an existing system on acquiring a premises, therefore have a responsibility to ensure that the device does not become a nuisance to others in the vicinity.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 allows Councils to turn off intruder alarms if they are causing a statutory nuisance.
Noise from Intruder Alarms
Burglar alarm bells or sirens are very noisy things. A recent survey found that burglar alarms are considered the most annoying type of neighbourhood noise. When they sound for long periods they can cause a serious noise nuisance.
Alarm owners should do the following to avoid causing a noise nuisance:
- Register your keyholder details with the Environmental Protection Unit.
- Make sure your alarm has a working automatic cutout device. Within 20 minutes of the alarm sounding, a device must stop the alarm being heard by people living near the property. Both internal and external bells must be covered by the cut out device.
- Opt for an alarm that includes a flashing light to indicate when the alarm has been activated.
- Ensure that the alarm is kept in good working order.
What are Keyholders?
If your alarm goes off, keyholders will be able to let the Police into the property to check for a break-in. They should be able to turn it off and/or re-set it. This means that they must have instructions on how to use your alarm system, or be able to contact your alarm company. If they cannot do this, then the least they can do is let the Council Officers in to sort it out – it stops us having to force entry.
Ideally, the keyholders should be a neighbour and be able to arrive at the property within 20 minutes of being called out. They must have a contact telephone number. Alternatively, you can use a commercial keyholder service - a company that will hold your keys, which can be contacted at any time and which can then gain access to the premises. Your alarm installers may offer this service, or may know of another company, which does.
What are the Cost of Causing a Noise Nuisance?
If your burglar alarm causes a noise nuisance, the council may decide to prosecute you. If you are found guilty, the Courts can impose fines of up to £5,000 (£20,000 for businesses). This is in addition to you being invoiced for the costs of breaking into your property and silencing your alarm.
What about Car Alarms?
Car alarms can also cause a nuisance. Please see the car alarm page for details.
How to Register your Alarm
To register your alarm keyholder please download the attached form and return the Environmental Protection Unit. You may also find our Intruder Alarm Leaflet useful.
Similarly if you wish to make a complaint about an intruder alarm please contact the Environmental Protection Unit on 01670 535000. We do operate an out of hours emergency callout telephone 07778 896717. The type of complaints we receive regarding intruder alarms are...
- Alarms sounding for longer than 20-minutes,
- Alarms that constantly sound and reset,
and also routine ringing. For example, alarms that sound for a few seconds when entering a building.
Service Standard
A 24 hour response is available for sounding intruder alarms outside of office hours and will be responded to within 2 hours and aim to resolve 95% of complaints within 4 hours.
A complaint of a sounding intruder alarm received during office hours will be responded to within 2 hours and aim to resolve 95% of complaints within 4 hours.
Page Date 02/01/08