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Securing your business premises is a top priority, and commercial alarm systems play a key role in protecting against unauthorised access. However, many business owners need clarification on how law enforcement interacts with their security systems, as there are few myths around this subject.
In this article, we will explore how the police support businesses with their commercial intruder alarm systems, under what conditions they respond, and how you can enhance your security through effective coordination with local authorities.
A common misconception is that the police directly monitor commercial burglar alarm systems. Police don’t monitor alarms directly. Instead, an independent third-party known as an alarm receiving centre or ARC, oversees them 24/7. The security controllers working in the ARC assess each alert carefully and takes action accordingly.
Not every monitored alarm system warrants a police response. For the police to attend, your commercial intruder alarm system itself must meet specific criteria, as does the actual type of alert or incident. Here’s how it works:
Standards for Alarm Installation: It all begins with the alarm equipment and the installer. For police response eligibility, your commercial alarm systems must meet specific industry standards. This requires professional design and installation of the alarm by certified experts to ensure reliability and compliance with industry regulations. Your alarm must be assigned a unique reference number (URN) by the police force.
Keyholder Response First: Typically, the ARC contacts keyholders, one of whom might be the business owner, first. If the keyholder confirms the incident or provides verification, the ARC will then escalate the situation to the police if a prearrangement is in place.
Verification by the ARC: When an alarm triggers, the monitoring centre verifies the alert through visual or audio means.
It’s critical to understand that police do not respond to every alarm activation. They will only attend when certain conditions are met. When the ARC receives an alarm signal, it evaluates the situation based on a few criteria:
Verified Alarm: For a police response, the alert must be verified as legitimate. This could involve activation from several detection devices, visual confirmation from security cameras or audio sensors indicating a break-in.
Multiple Activations: In some cases, multiple activations in a short time frame can also trigger an escalation to the police.
This highlights the importance of having a well-maintained and professionally installed system to minimise false alarms and ensure a swift response when needed so as not to waste police resources.
A business can elect to have its commercial intruder alarm systems connected to an ARC, which then plays a critical role in coordinating a response when the alarm is activated. Here’s how the process works:
Alarm Signal: When alarms activate, a signal is sent from the control panel to the ARC via the internet or 5G. This is made possible by a device added to the intruder alarm panel, which ensures a direct, real-time connection for effective monitoring and response.
Notification: Once the ARC receives the signal, they evaluate the need for further action. If required, they alert keyholders first. The ARC may notify the police directly if the system is set up for a police response and the alarm meets the criteria.
24-Hour Monitoring: The monitoring station operates 24/7 to ensure immediate response to alarms. While distinct from installation, taking the right actions when an alarm is triggered is crucial.
One of the main reasons police responses can be delayed or withdrawn is the issue of false alarms. These occur when the commercial alarm systems are triggered accidentally or due to system malfunctions. Frequent false alarms can lead to the police downgrading the priority of your alarm or even suspending their response.
To avoid this, it’s crucial to:
Have the system professionally installed: A system which has been installed to meet British Standards is less likely to generate false calls. Working with certified alarm installers like Yee Group, ensures your system meets the required standards for police response.
Regular Maintenance: Schedule periodic inspections of your security system to ensure it functions properly. Faulty sensors, outdated software and poor design can all lead to false alarms.
To ensure your commercial intruder alarm system is effective, subscribing to a monitoring service through an ARC is crucial. This service provides 24/7 supervision, promptly notifying keyholders, security, or police if needed. In this way, it ensures a rapid response to an alarm activation and does not rely upon chance.
While police monitoring of alarms doesn’t exist, you can increase the chances of police attendance when a security breach occurs by ensuring the following steps are in place. Keep in mind that police only attend under specific circumstances, and these steps can help meet the necessary conditions for a response:
System Installation to British Standards: Partner with qualified alarm installers to ensure your system meets industry standards and qualifies for police response. Correct installation minimises false alarms and enhances reliability, meeting the criteria for escalation to police.
Subscription to an ARC: Connect your system to a 24-hour monitoring centre that evaluates alarm signals and notifies the police when conditions are met.
Accurate Keyholder Information: Ensure keyholder information with the ARC is always current. The ARC will contact keyholders before they contact the police, ensuring a swift and efficient response while meeting all necessary criteria.
