Do intruder alarms really work? How do they protect my home or business? Are they worth the investment?
If these questions have crossed your mind, read on!
What is an intruder alarm?
An electronic system designed to protect against intruders by emitting a loud noise and/or notifying a remote control centre when an unauthorised person has entered a building.
Why should you have an intruder alarm?
London’s crime rate in 2021 was 87 crimes per 1,000 people, 9% higher than the UK average, according to CrimeRate. Burglaries form 5.85% of London’s crime rate. Having crime prevention measures in place is more important than ever.
At WLS, our focus is creating a safe space for your personal or professional property, which is why we specialise in intruder alarms installation.
As well as detecting intruders, intruder alarms act as a powerful deterrent. Burglars will do everything they can to avoid being noticed. The threat of sounding an alarm, alerting neighbors and even the police can be enough to stop them in their tracks.
Before choosing an alarm, be armed with the facts and find out how they work:
Different types of intruder alarms
The way intruder alarms work depends on the type of alarm:
- Bells-only: A noise is made to alert those in the surrounding area and potentially discourage the intruder. It’s important to note, no one is contacted and there is no guarantee of action to prevent a burglary.
- Speech dialler: These alarms automatically dial yours or a nominee’s phone number to alert them when the alarm is triggered.
- Smart home-security: A system which contacts you/a nominee through an app when the alarm is activated. These also provide remote functionality. Considered to be the most sophisticated option and this is reflected in the price.
- Monitoring alarm: When an intruder triggers the system, action is taken (e.g. a dedicated Alarm Receiving Centre is contacted). This is the highest level of protection available but requires a monthly/annual fee.
Wireless or Wired?
The next distinguishing feature is whether alarms are wireless or wired.
Wireless alarms rely on battery-powered sensors that communicate with a control panel via radio signals. More visually appealing but also more expensive; these need to be proactively maintained to ensure all the batteries are in working order.
Wired systems require cabling to each of the sensors. Whilst the parts are cheaper, the expense comes with the installation- you’ll need an experienced installer to run the cabling as discreetly as possible.
Why should you choose a WLS alarm?
We use cutting-edge intruder alarm system technology. All our systems are installed to the latest British standard PD6662 and are approved to the exacting standards of all leading insurance companies.
- We offer GPRS intruder alarms which transmit alarm signals over the mobile data network, using 2G, 3G or 4G technology. They’re backed up by regular phone lines for complete peace of mind.
- Our wireless intruder alarms or radio-based alarms can be installed where running cables is difficult, for example in historic or listed buildings. They are practical, reliable and space-saving solutions.
- Intruder alarms can be configured to work with proximity tokens commonly used with access control systems. It makes disabling alarms much easier for those who need regular access & allows main alarm systems to remain active whilst individuals are granted entry to the premises.
Find out more here.
