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Q74: Can you recommend a burglar alarm company?

Answer

We cannot make any specific recommendations. Your home insurance company would be one of the best people to contact to get advice regarding a burglar alarm. They may have a list of approved companies that they can recommend, and by using one of them they may offer a reduction on your policy. See the link in Related Information to Security Alarms, which provides information as to the different types of alarm systems that are available, to see which ones would best suit your needs.

 

It would be a good idea to see if the alarm company that you select has one or more of the following accreditations (in no particular order):

    • BSIA (British Security Industry Association) or FSA (Fire and Security Association) - these are the industry's own professional bodies
    • NSI (National Security Inspectorate) who also run other named schemes
    • SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board)

For further information on burglar alarms and other home security tips, please see the websites in Related Information.

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A secure home will reduce the chance of you getting burgled. Many domestic burglaries are committed by opportunists; criminals will look for homes that have little or no obvious security, have doors or windows left open or seem unoccupied.

Listed below are some top tips to help keep your home safe from thieves:

  • Installing an alarm system will help to deter burglars.
  • Ensure you have a robust, secure front door with British Standard approved locks and hinges. See the link in Related Information for detailed guidance from the Master Locksmiths Association.
  • Install outside lighting, such as motion sensor lights so that intruders cannot approach without being seen.
  • Lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even when you are just out in the garden.
  • Consider installing CCTV, as this is good deterrent for thieves and if you are targeted, CCTV can provide valuable evidence.
  • When you go out, leave radios or lights in your house on a timer to make the property appear occupied.
  • Keep hedges and walls at the front of your house low (under one metre) so burglars have nowhere to hide.
  • Keep side and rear boundaries high and add trellis or prickly defensive planting to make it harder for burglars to climb over.
  • If you have a sliding patio door, check it has an anti-lift device fitted so it can't be lifted out of the frame.
  • Move bins or garden furniture that could be used to reach windows.
  • Ensure communal doors in flats / apartments are closed and secure and report any faults to your landlord or maintenance company.
  • Never buzz anyone into the building that you do not know or let them follow behind you.
  • Lock and secure any sheds and outbuildings.
  • Property mark and register valuable items. See Related Information for details.

Please also see the following websites in Related Information.

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It is an offence for a dog to be dangerously out of control in any place, including private property.

All the circumstances will be considered and each decision will be judged individually. For example, if you deliberately set your dog onto the intruder and they suffer injury, you may be liable for prosecution and the dog ordered to be kept under control.

However, if you are not at home and your dog attacks an intruder, it is unlikely that you would be liable for the attack. This defence only applies in your home and not other premises or land i.e. if a person (intruder of otherwise) enters your garden and is bitten by your dog, you may be liable.

Q653 provides more information on dangerous dogs.

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Many people install CCTV at their properties as a home security measure as it's an effective tool in fighting crime. Where CCTV is in operation and it only captures your home and garden then it will not be covered by the Data Protection legislation. However, if it captures any images outside the confines of your household, such as the street or other houses, the images will be subject to the Data Protection legislation and you will be required to register as a 'data controller' with the Information Commissioners Office.

Steps should be taken to ensure the CCTV is positioned correctly to avoid complaints or in some cases, accusations of violation of privacy or harassment. You may wish to put up a sign on your property informing people that CCTV is in use, although this is not mandatory unless your system records images beyond your own boundary.

In the first instance, it would be advisable to speak to your neighbour to see if it is possible to move the camera so that it does not point at your property. If this is not possible and you want to take further action you would need to seek legal advice from a solicitor.

See the links in Related Information for further guidance on the use of domestic CCTV systems.

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Yes, it is perfectly legal to use anti-climbing paint although there are a couple of factors which should be considered when applying the paint -

  • You should make sure the anti-climbing paint starts at a reasonably high level so passers-by do not damage their clothing inadvertently.
  • 'Warning: Anti-Climb Paint' signs should be clearly posted wherever there is paint in use. These should be posted to protect the company or householder from being sued in a civil court, e.g. to protect themselves from civil action for any damage to clothing.
  • The notices should be simple enough for a reasonably young person to understand as, apart from intruders, they are the ones likely to be trying to climb up.

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We cannot make any specific recommendations. Your home insurance company would be one of the best people to contact to get advice regarding a burglar alarm. They may have a list of approved companies that they can recommend, and by using one of them they may offer a reduction on your policy. See the link in Related Information to Security Alarms, which provides information as to the different types of alarm systems that are available, to see which ones would best suit your needs.

 

It would be a good idea to see if the alarm company that you select has one or more of the following accreditations (in no particular order):

    • BSIA (British Security Industry Association) or FSA (Fire and Security Association) - these are the industry's own professional bodies
    • NSI (National Security Inspectorate) who also run other named schemes
    • SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board)

For further information on burglar alarms and other home security tips, please see the websites in Related Information.

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Q74: Can you recommend a burglar alarm company?

Answer

We cannot make any specific recommendations. Your home insurance company would be one of the best people to contact to get advice regarding a burglar alarm. They may have a list of approved companies that they can recommend, and by using one of them they may offer a reduction on your policy. See the link in Related Information to Security Alarms, which provides information as to the different types of alarm systems that are available, to see which ones would best suit your needs.

 

It would be a good idea to see if the alarm company that you select has one or more of the following accreditations (in no particular order):

    • BSIA (British Security Industry Association) or FSA (Fire and Security Association) - these are the industry's own professional bodies
    • NSI (National Security Inspectorate) who also run other named schemes
    • SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board)

For further information on burglar alarms and other home security tips, please see the websites in Related Information.
 
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