False security alarms continue to fall

Figures from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) showed a 13.6% reduction in police attendance to false alarms.

David Dickinson, BSIA chief executive, said: "The reduction in false alarms is testament to the private security industry's cooperation with the police on this key issue. The industry has enhanced technology and improved training for customers and this has brought real benefits in saving the police time and valuable resources.

"The ACPO statistics also show that over 2,600 people have been arrested in a twelve month period due to alarm activations. This demonstrates that intruder alarms really can assist in the detection of crime as well its prevention, and a police response to an alarm activation can bring real results."

Richard Childs, chairman of the ACPO Security Systems Group, commented: "We saw a reduction of 51,578 calls compared to the 2005 figures and continues the downward spiral since the ACPO Policy was introduced."

However< he also warned: "It is important that we recognise improvements are still required if systems are to retain credibility with the police."

For information on the Security Systems Policy and how to ensure a police response, check out our feature from last year - see link above/right.