Burglar Alarm required - Advice & Recommendations please

mvteng

We've now had 3 attempted break ins in a week. The last time, the police managed to catch the 4 little angels, but because they were underage had to let them go without charge.

As such, we now want to get a burglar alarm fitted.

Its a detached bungalow - 3 bedrooms, but we'd also like to get an unattached garage & shed included.

Any recommendations e.g. wired / wireless. PIR/ contacts etc would be greatly appreciated.

Also a ball park figure of what we can expect to pay would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

latecomer

4 in a week? That must be horrible. Where about in Edinburgh are you (we're in the south, near the ski slope).

I'm sure even if the kids are young there must be something they can do?

Anyway are you thinking about DIY or a professional job? I'd go for a contact switch on all doors and opening windows downstairs and at least one PIR in the hall, another if you have an upstairs hall.

Obviously wired will make more mess as the wires have to be routed but when I last investigated wireless ones still had a pretty bad reputation.

mvteng

Hi Latecomer,

We're in Corstorphine. On the latest attempt I saw them climbing over the wall into the back garden, called 999. They did a runner but the police caught them in the next street with a bag full of screwdrivers & other assorted tools.

Of the 4, 2 had previous charges, 2 didn't. All were minors & had to be released without charge. Apparently in Scotland you can be charged with trespass with intent to commit a crime, but you won't be prosecuted until you've been caught a 3rd time.

Concerning DIY or professional, I don't know yet. I've searched this forum & found some info, & also had a look at the Screwfix catalogue. I'm pretty handy, but I'd rather pay a bit extra to ensure I was getting a good system.

davetrousers

Howabout some of that Anti-Climb paint on the tops of walls?

latecomer

We looked at a lot of bungalows in Corstorphine, as we really liked the area, before decided on the south side.

I looked into it when we moved in last year. the DIYnot.com forum has a board dedicated to alarms and similar which is well worth looking at and posting any questions you have.
We didn't have one in the end although I'm still thinking about it. Its the thought of making a mess around the windows thats putting me off but the pros must have a way of doing it without making a huge mess?

For peace of mind we might just get someone in to do it.

latecomer

davetrousers wrote: »

Howabout some of that Anti-Climb paint on the tops of walls?

Or some really nasty spiky bushes?

jimexbox

I have an ADT monitered alarm. It wasnt cheap, about 750 quid two years ago, but I believe you get what you pay for. They fit not only PIR sensors, but widow vibration sensors and panic buttons. You get a one panic button at the door and you have to pay extra to have one fitted in say a bedroom. It took two installers a full day to fit everything.

As it is a monitored system I play £25 a month service charge. If the alarm is set and two sensors are tripped, the police will be called. If you press the panic button, it is relayed directly through to the police. I also have the monitored fire and carbon monoxide detector. If the alarm is sounded, ADT will will ring your property, if they recieve no answer, the fire brigade is called.

Some may thinks its OTT, but I work away from home a lot. With my wife and kids left at home, so to me its money very well spent and gives me piece of mind, which is priceless.

ic

Do you have any security lighting? You could perhaps get a set of lights that are linked around the house - if any triggers then they all go on.

I've had a Yale wireless alarm now for four years - I've extended it to cover my shed and even have the smoke alarms. Very happy with it.

mvteng

Thanks for all the replies.

Anti climb paint / spikes on top of the wall have both been considered, our kids want to dig a big hole with spikes in & covered with leaves !

Police told us they caught someone in the next street last week because they saw the security lights on. I've put a new one up over the weekend which covers the wall.

Its probably a kneejerk reaction getting an alarm, we've been in 10 years & this is the first hint of a problem, but for peace of mind, we both need to get something done.

latecomer

Whether its kneejerk or not, its probably something worth doing/getting done. Its certainly get me thinking about it again.