Crime reduction 

False alarms

Please follow the business crime prevention advice below to prevent false alarms.

The premises owner/manager is urged to nominate one person to be responsible for the alarm system. Adopt a disciplined approach to alarm setting and unsetting to keep false alarms to a minimum.

Following these top ten points will go a long way towards making sure that your premises receives police attendance at the right time.

1. The alarm system must only be operated by persons who have been correctly trained. If you are unsure of the correct operational procedure, contact your alarm company.
2. Before leaving the premises, check that all personnel have left the building and that all doors and windows are physically secured. A walk around the protected area is the only effective way to do this properly, and to prevent unnecessary false alarms.
3. Make sure that detection devices are not obstructed. In particular, be careful that infrared beams and space detectors are not obstructed by stock or other items.
4. If space detectors are used, do not introduce sources of heat, movement or sound into the area protected by these detectors without informing your alarm company.
5. Always follow the entry/exit procedure agreed with your alarm company. Don’t allow entry through any door other than the one designated. Make switching off the alarm system your first take on entry.
6. Check your keys. Make sure that all keys necessary to enter the premises are readily available and that any code numbers are known before you enter.
7. Tell your alarm company of any alterations to your premises which may affect your alarm system. Do not permit people other than your alarm company to make changes to the alarm system.
8. Treat your alarm system with care. Wiring and detection devices can be accidentally damaged or moved. If this happens, inform your alarm company immediately.
9. After a false alarm, check the system carefully. Where possible, note the cause of activation. When the alarm company engineer arrives, tell him about what you believe set off the alarm.
10. Make sure that regular maintenance checks are carried out by your alarm company. Excessive false alarms will normally give rise to police response being withdrawn.