Reply to: Burglar Alarms - are they worth it?

[northernladuk]

We have a wireless one purely because we didn't want him pulling the house apart wiring it. Apparently PiRs last long enough cause they go in to sleep mode and other clever schizzle. Not had it long enough to comment on how long though.

[AtW]

Also got a baseball bat and a CO2 powered air rifle underneath the bed, just incase like...

That should alarm any burglar, perhaps some relevant stickers should be put on windows to warn them that their human rights will be severely violated if they break in ...

[kingcook]

We've got dogs that bark at anything that walks within 10 metres of the house.

Also got a baseball bat and a CO2 powered air rifle underneath the bed, just incase like...

[Zero Liability]

Wireless ones are marginally more expensive. At least mine was. It is reliable, particularly if the property isn't very large.

[BjornMorg]

Thanks for all your feedback, interesting mix as always on here.

Any views on getting a wireless system instead of a wired one?
i.e. reliability/effectiveness/cost of each type

[DirtyDog]

What we have been told by police and other folks too is that all things being equal burglars would go for the house without the alarm/cctv.

The less attractive you make it for them, the more likely they will move onto someone else.

We had a smash and grab some years back - Mrs left her laptop on view in the front room. 2am, window smashed, laptop grabbed. Since then, we've had some railings added to the front wall, which means instead of a four foot drop it's now a six foot hurdle, which is a bit trickier.

Had the car broken into a number of times at the back, so we had seven foot gates fitted.

Neighbours have been done since then, but we haven't, touch wood.

[vetran]

I think its more likely the rabid attack guinea pigs patrolling the back garden that puts them off

that's no way to talk about the kids!

[Pogle]

Maybe the crocodile filled moat, sentry guns, megavolt electrified barbed wire and minefield has something to do with that?

I think its more likely the rabid attack guinea pigs patrolling the back garden that puts them off

[quackhandle]

Unfortunately the in-laws got done the other week, bit of a s&g raid only money and a laptop taken but the dozy buggers couldn't remember if they'd locked the patio doors.

It's a bit sobering though, they know they got off lightly as you do hear of some vile thieves going OOT on the older generation.

qh

[northernladuk]

Or alternatively live somewhere outside of the radius of any urban area from which these people make their thieving forays.

The only time we need to be vigilant down here is when members of the "travelling community"are in residence on a local grass verge.

I don't discount the possibility that the gypsies are being used as a convenient foil for another bunch of thieves but there is a definite upturn in crime when they are around. Contents of garden sheds, garages etc seem to be their favourite targets.

I don't think moving is the answer lol. I also don't think being out of urban areas is a solution you think as well. I bet if you look deeper in to the stats the truth will be surprising. If one house in 50 is a burglary stat in Salford where there are rows and rows then there will appear to be a lot of burgalries but in a small sleepy town of 50 houses only one a year sounds safe but is actually the same risk as Salford. I would also wager it's all smash and grabs in urban areas but posh areas will be a house clearance. Burgalry to order is more prevalent in nice areas.

IMO don't underestimate burglars. Some of them know what they are doing and good at it.

[mudskipper]

We've got a fake box that was here when we moved in.

Been burgled once - insurance were incredulous that we could have had five laptops nicked...

[TykeMerc]

We've had a house alarm for the last 20 years.
Its serviced annually along with the security lights and smoke alarms.
We put it on every night and every time we go out, we also have sensors on the front and back door that beep when they're opened.
I dont know if its a detertent, but we've never had so much as a garden ornament swiped.

Maybe the crocodile filled moat, sentry guns, megavolt electrified barbed wire and minefield has something to do with that?

[Pogle]

We've had a house alarm for the last 20 years.
Its serviced annually along with the security lights and smoke alarms.
We put it on every night and every time we go out, we also have sensors on the front and back door that beep when they're opened.
I dont know if its a detertent, but we've never had so much as a garden ornament swiped.

[Zero Liability]

Look up Amco (the alarm monitoring company.) Their alarms are good value and well priced, and they take the monitoring thing a step further. I've had very good service from them. Personally, I would couple an alarm with good, decorative looking bars on the easy access windows and a CCTV system.

[OwlHoot]

...

Nothing is really gonna stop a smash a grab burglar but a good alarm should deter the ones that will destroy your house or worse.

Worth every penny IMO. Don't scrimp.

So any specific specific recommendations for tip-top quality house security specialists & setup company?

Are there any Rolls Royce equivalents with reputations superior to the others, whose kit and/or service burglars would be much more likely avoid the risk of involvement with?

Banhams perhaps?