Crime reduction 

Alarms communication

An alarm is only effective if it is responded to. There are a number of ways that the alarm and alarm monitoring centre can communicate with each other.

• Digital communicator: This is the most common signaling system fitted to domestic and low-risk properties. For the system to work, the telephone must be intact. However, telephone lines on domestic premises are rarely interfered with, making this an economical form of monitoring. An additional line can be installed to carry an alarm signal direct to the central station. However, this may prove to be more expensive than the other methods.
• BT RedCARE: BT RedCARE signals alarm activations and continuously checks that the telephone line is intact. The RedCARE network requires a BT line to operate. It is monitored 24 hours a day and instantly detects malicious line cuts.
• RedCARE GSM and DualCom: These systems provide dual signaling by telephone line and radio signal. Reliable information on both the status of the telephone line and alarm activations is provided to the central station. This makes it immune to line-cutting or other forms of telephone interference.

Alarm verification

To help to reduce false intruder alarm reports, all new monitored systems will include ways to confirm intruder calls passed for police attendance. This also applies to people needing response to be reinstated.

Users may wish to consider upgrading to confirmed calls to improve keyholder and police confidence when attending, and to reduce the risk of the system losing police response.

Call confirmation

• Audio verification – an alarm sensor or detector activates. The monitoring centre listens-in to audio using an audio listening or monitoring device in the protected premises.
• Visual verification – an alarm sensor or detector activates and video images are transmitted to the monitoring centre. Operators see that an alarm has been caused by an intrusion.
• Sequential signaling – an activation from two or more separate sensors or detectors occurs within a pre-defined time. This suggests that an intruder may be moving through the protected premises.
• Dual signaling – the monitoring centre receives a line cut signal followed by a second alarm signal usually passed over a cell phone radio link.

Call intervention

Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) policy requires personal attack systems which have lost police response to be upgraded to include intervention. This means that the monitoring centre gains further information about what caused the activation by one of the following:

• Call-back – the monitoring centre makes contact with the premises by telephone.
• Visual – video images are transmitted to the monitoring centre where operators see what may have caused the activation.
• Audio – the monitoring centre listens-in by using an audio listening device.
• Combination – any combination of the above.

Your security system maintainer will be able to give you more information about upgrading your system.

Intelligent alarm signaling warning

If you have invested in an intelligent alarm signaling service so that your alarm is actively monitored, let potential burglars know by putting a warning sticker in a prominent place.