Police monitored home alarms

principlecounts

Hi,

I'm looking at installing a home alarm featuring a police monitor. I'm looking for a commitment that isn't too rigid but flexible. So for example, if I go away for a long period of time, I would like to have a police monitor connected but at other times just a monitor to a device I can carry with me. e.g. my phone.

Appreciate ideas.

Quentin

principlecounts wrote: »

Hi,

I'm looking at installing a home alarm featuring a police monitor. ...... I would like to have a police monitor connected but at other times just a monitor to a device I can carry with me. e.g. my phone.......

You need to take this up with your chief constable (assuming you are so important the police will provide you with this service)

csgohan4

ADT have manned monitoring of alarms, but quote expensive.


Why not have remote CCTV?

paddyandstumpy

csgohan4 wrote: »

Why not have remote CCTV?

Personally I think cctv on a home is pointless. You can record who is robbing you, but nothing else.

csgohan4

paddyandstumpy wrote: »

Personally I think cctv on a home is pointless. You can record who is robbing you, but nothing else.

OP wants something they can monitor on their phone

eddddy

principlecounts wrote: »

Hi,

I'm looking at installing a home alarm featuring a police monitor. I'm looking for a commitment that isn't too rigid but flexible. So for example, if I go away for a long period of time, I would like to have a police monitor connected but at other times just a monitor to a device I can carry with me. e.g. my phone.

Appreciate ideas.

The police don't actually monitor alarms.


A monitored alarm sends an alert to an Alarm Receiving Centre, and they decide what to do. Often the agreement is that they will call you, or a key holder who lives nearby.


If the alarm meets specific British Standards, was installed by professionals, is maintained by professionals, is registered with the police, etc, etc... the Alarm Receiving Centre has the option to call out the police.


I believe that at least some Alarm Receiving Centres can be quite flexible. e.g. If the alarm goes off, try calling me. If I don't answer, try calling my neighbour. If he doesn't answer, call the police.


Edit to add...

The police will only respond to a call from a registered, accredited Alarm Receiving Centre, about a registered alarm.

e.g. They won't respond to somebody saying "My smart phone app is saying somebody is breaking into my house".

pinkteapot

eddddy wrote: »

Edit to add...

The police will only respond to a call from a registered, accredited Alarm Receiving Centre, about a registered alarm.

e.g. They won't respond to somebody saying "My smart phone app is saying somebody is breaking into my house".

Just to add - they will respond to calls from the public, IF they've seen someone physically breaking in. They won't respond to "an alarm's going off" because false alarms happen all the time, but they will respond to credible "burglary in progress" calls. At least that's what the police liaison person to our Neighbourhood Watch said.

As others have said, monitored alarms are monitored by private companies, not the police. You'll pay a monthly or annual fee for this, usually on an annual contract basis (ie a year's commitment at a time).

dunstonh

principlecounts wrote: »

Hi,

I'm looking at installing a home alarm featuring a police monitor. I'm looking for a commitment that isn't too rigid but flexible. So for example, if I go away for a long period of time, I would like to have a police monitor connected but at other times just a monitor to a device I can carry with me. e.g. my phone.

Appreciate ideas.

You get a discount for having and using a connected alarm. You appear to want the discount for having but not using the alarm.

Unless you live in a high risk area, if you failed to use the alarm and suffered a break in then your claim would be reduced. It would not be invalidated (unless you are in a high risk area that mandates the use of a connected alarm).