Noise control for burglar alarms

Audible intruder alarms are widely used to protect property from unauthorised entry and are often required by insurance companies. Burglar alarms that are sounding should be reported to the Police so that evidence of criminal activity can be investigated.

The Council and Police, however, receive many complaints about alarm systems that sound for long periods of time, causing serious noise disturbance to neighbours, and where there is no evidence of a break-in.

Alarm cut-off devices

Alarm systems should have an automatic cut-off device fitted to stop the alarm sounding after 20 minutes. Most modern alarms have such a device already fitted, but cut-out devices can be fitted to older, existing systems. We can require the installation of cut-out devices if an alarm system gives rise to nuisance.

What action we will take

If an alarm system is reported as causing a noise nuisance, we will try to contact a keyholder so that the problem can be resolved quickly and with the minimum of fuss.

If we are unable to contact a keyholder within a reasonable period of time to silence the alarm, then formal action will be taken to stop the nuisance.

An Abatement Notice requiring the alarm to be silenced will be served on the occupier by leaving it at or affixing it to the premises. An electrical engineer will also be summonsed to silence the alarm box.

If the alarm is inside your property, we'll obtain a court warrant for access. A locksmith will enter, and an electrician will turn off the alarm. We'll secure your property, keeping the new keys.

You'll find a letter on your front door explaining how to obtain the new key.

The occupier will be responsible for reimbursing us for all costs reasonably incurred in abating the nuisance. This can be several hundred pounds.

Role of keyholders

Alarm keyholders should provide the local Police, in writing, with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least two keyholders who can operate and silence the alarm. It is recommended that we are provided with details of which Police station has been informed and the person responsible for the alarm.

Within 48 hours of installing or taking over an alarm system, occupiers should nominate at least two key holders and provide their names, addresses and telephone numbers to the Thames Valley Police Alarms Administration.

Each keyholder must be able to reach the property within 20 minutes. They should be familiar with the property and the alarm system installed. Arrangements should be made such that at least one key holder is available at any given time.

Contact Thames Valley Police alarms administration for more information.

More information

How to report a noise problem