Neighbours Burglar Alarm

sillygoose

Actually most domestic alarms should NOT go off during a power cut, its just that few people bother replacing the control panel battery every 4-5 years or so, its a small rechargeable but being constantly unused in a warm box it just dies. When its good it should keep the alarm up for several hours without false triggering.

If this persons alarm is going non-stop its either a really old one (before rules about alarm time) or it has a faulty sensor or something that is constantly re-triggering it (perhaps the owner disables that one and the reboot has made it forget)

Anyway you could go up a ladder, usually a couple of screws to open the box, pull a wire and wrap it with a bit of tape. Replace the box so its not apparent its off. Most alarm boxes have a switch to set the alarm off when you try to remove the lid, sometimes activated as you loosen a long screw. In this case it doesn't matter.

Normally this would cause friction with a neighbour - imagine if they were broken into and you had disabled their alarm! but in this case no one is taking any notice so I would do it. I always make arrangements for someone to check in on my house and leave a key and alarm instructions.

ic

Contact your local council. I believe they'll come out, disable it and then bill your neighbour.

A quick google as an example:

http://www.epnbc.gov.uk/environment/environmentalservices/Environmentburglaralarmprocedure.htm

What Happens Next?
If the alarm is still ringing and it is clear that the keyholders or the occupier is not available, the Environmental Protection Unit takes the following steps:-

1. Checks details against the alarm holder register.
2. Contacts the Housing Department to check if it is a council property and if they have details.
3. Checks with Council Tax (Treasurers) for any possible details.
4. Contacts the police for details.
5. Contacts potential keyholders.
6. Contacts the alarm company for any details.
7. Witnesses the alarm ringing for at least 20 minutes to determine if it is causing a statutory nuisance
8. Prepares an Abatement Notice.
9. Serves the Notice requiring the nuisance to stop.
10. Follows up and investigates any information gained on the visit.
11. Arranges contractors to disconnect the alarm.
12. Gets a Warrant from the courts to enter the premises and/or disconnect the alarm.
13. Cuts the alarm off - (Executing the Warrant)
14. Prepares an explanation letter to the person responsible for the alarm.

AdrianW2

Love this bit from their website:

"Carrying out this process can take several hours and involve at least two officers, the police, and a locksmith/alarm engineer."

I'd imagine "several" is an understatement.

TomsMom

JohnG wrote: »

Bi for now

davetrousers wrote: »

Ok thanks for the info. Not sure how this helps the op though.

:rotfl: That is the OP!

Is that text speak????????? I wouldn't know, I think I'm officially a wrinklie and these things are supposedly beyond me .

tuggy12

AdrianW2 wrote: »

Love this bit from their website:
"Carrying out this process can take several hours and involve at least two officers, the police, and a locksmith/alarm engineer."
I'd imagine "several" is an understatement.

Lol, yes, they'd also need 2 firefighter crews in attendance, a paramedic crew, the police helicopter on standby and if near the coast or a river, a team of divers.
The area within 300 metres of the rogue alarm would also need to be sealed off.

27col

Don't forget the dog handlers and Uncle Tom Cobley and all. Also a wholesale supply of ear plugs for all concerned.

maveli

get a cardboard box, stuff a duvet in it, get some strong tape and fix it on top of the alarm.

JohnG

Hi (That's the opposite of Bi in case anyones wondering...:rolleyes:)

Just got back and the alarm is still ringing as loudly as ever so I'm going for the ladders! :T Wish me luck!

JohnG

Would you believe it, I just put the ladder up against their wall and an Environmental Officer turns up! Apparently, other people have been calling them and when it's an alarm problem such as this then they apply different rules to ones which the operative was stating to me this morning (Why am I not surprised? :rolleyes:). Apparently they WILL take action if the thing continues for more than a day or so but would have to get some sort of clearance or court ruling to have the thing disconnected (Would probably take a few days at best from what we gathered.

But wait...... Just as she was telling us all this, one of our other neighbours appears and says she has managed to get hold of a number through a friend and established that the owners are on holiday in Spain but they knew someone who was "Looking after their home" whilst they are away. So the outcome (hopefully) is that these people will come and turn the blasted thing off in the next hour or so. :T

What we've learnt here is that people with alarms MUST make sure someone is available to deal with problems if they should arise in their absence - ie preferably a neighbour, or at the very least, leave a ctc name and number with a neighbour.

Also, apparently and according to the Environment Office we spoke to, anyone with a House or Car alarm is officially supposed to notify their office for their records? That's the first I've heard of that?

Finally, old alarms such as this one should be scrapped as they are NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE :mad:

Thanks for all the ideas - particularly liked the Duvet in a box suggestion :rotfl:.

TomsMom

JohnG wrote: »

Hi (That's the opposite of Bi in case anyones wondering...:rolleyes:)

:rotfl: Well, I hope davetrousers comes back and reads that, he seems to have got the wrong idea!

Just got back and the alarm is still ringing as loudly as ever so I'm going for the ladders! :T Wish me luck!

Best of luck JohnG, let us know what you do and if it's successful.