Improving home security / burglar alarms etc

Toast_Master

Hello

I'm writing to ask advice on improving my home security. I've just moved into a new house in north london, which was broken into 5yrs ago, but has since had the weak window replaced with a double glazed one. With a few other break-ins in the area, I want to make the house as impenetrable as possible!

It's double glazed throughout, has pretty solid doors. There's a motion-sensing light at the front of the house and I'm considering adding one to the back too. (although local cats will probably set it off all the time!). It's relatively easy to hop a fence and get into the back garden, so I'm planning to get some of those plastic fence spikes.

I'm considering buying a burglar alarm system, but have found it difficult to get good advice on these online. I've heard scare stories about the battery-operated self-install motion sensors (them going off by themselves) and I'd rather spend money on a good system, than get a cheaper one installed that's so-so. I'm also dubious of how effective alarm-only ones are (which don't notify anyone), because when I hear an alarm up the road, it's not like I rush to see if someone's house / car is being broken into. Although I doubt a theif would want to hang around in a house that has an alarm ringing.

Any advice on which ones are worth looking into / any other personal experience, greatly appreciated.

Cheers

victor2

I've just replaced our 20 year old alarm system after it died a noisy death - which didn't alarm the neighbours at all!

Really it's a case of keeping up with the neighbours, almost all the houses around us have an alarm and we feel if we didn't, then the finger would be pointing at our house as an easier target. That said, leaving the dead bell-box there would have been fine, but after so many years of having one, we'd feel exposed without it.
Most home insurance policies offer a discount if you have an alarm AND have it serviced regularly. I've never claimed it because we never had the old one serviced and I wouldn't want to give the insurance company an easy get-out should we claim. Don't know what discount you'll get - probably less than the cost of an annual maintenance visit though.

You won't stop a determined burglar, but security lighting, alarms etc. are a bit of a deterrent I suppose, and a majority of break-ins seem to be carried out by opportunists who've spotted an easy gain.

kizkiz

I've been called to plenty of houses because the alarm is going off (sometimes a passerby has called, and sometimes it's linked direct to police), to realise that an alarm box will not neccessarily deter a burglar.
What will deter them is when the alarm goes off. They do not hang around trying to break in
Unfortunately, they know that lots of people have dummy boxes, so still try their luck

Toast_Master

Both replies really useful. Thanks.

Victor2 - what kind of alarm system do you have and who did you get to fit it (if you don't mind me asking). I'm wondering if I should go to a local firm. At least they'll probably know the shape of the houses and where best to fit sensors, as well as potential weak spots.

sparky1983

The best bet is to get 3 quotes from local firms. Make sure you check they are SSAIB approved or NSI which means that their work is vetted and staff are security checked. Electricians generally fit DIY kits that professional security installers would and cannot use because they do not comply to current european standards. If you require a monitored alarm system with police response then an approved company is your only option. More and more installers use wireless systems now which have improved but still cause more problems than a hardwired system. Most experienced Engineers can make a wired system look wirefree and anyone who wants to do a proper job will quote for a wired system where possible. All companies have their preferred brand but do not accept anything that is classified as Grade 1 as this is classed as DIY.

victor2

Toast_Master wrote: »

Both replies really useful. Thanks.

Victor2 - what kind of alarm system do you have and who did you get to fit it (if you don't mind me asking). I'm wondering if I should go to a local firm. At least they'll probably know the shape of the houses and where best to fit sensors, as well as potential weak spots.

We got a local alarm/security systems company to fit the new system. We've used them in the past and know of others who've also used them, so were happy to pay only slightly more than going to an unknown company. They've also been around for years, so are less likely to disappear overnight.
We've had a new "hybrid" part wireless and part wired system installed. That allowed us to make use of some of the existing wired sensors plus replacing all the PIR sensors with wireless ones - the old ones would have to have been replaced anyway, and some of the old wiring is now buried behind plasterwork done since it was installed.
You're right that a local company might be familiar with the layout of houses in your area, but these days with wireless systems, it's probably less important to appreciate how the houses are constructed. Any reputable installer should know good spots to place sensors.

When we had our old system installed, many years ago, we contacted our local crime prevention officer. He visited us, made a few suggestions regarding the type of sensors to get and although he couldn't officially recommend a company, he did point us in the right direction. Don't know what they'd say these days, but might be worth a call.

Toast_Master

That's all really helpful. I've requested call-outs from three local firms so they can assess, recommend and quote for an alarm system.

I've not heard of Crime Prevention Officers visiting homes for advice - I suppose I could call my police station and see if they'd do this, but I'd imagine they wouldn't (in London at least - I saw a break-in in progress some years ago and the police said they were too busy to attend!).

Thanks everyone for the advice - really useful

Myser

Don't forget to check all your external door locks. That is your first line of defence. Make sure you do not have ones that can be 'bumped' easily. You tend to find these on patio/modern doors e.g. uPVC.