Advice about alarm services

Message from Humberside Police:- 

Some householders and businesses may have been contacted recently by security companies who are claiming that the police no longer attend alarm activations. 

These security companies say they can provide an “attendance service” often at a substantial cost, and some customers might feel the need to pay these high prices for a private alarm attendance service.

Humberside Police DO attend alarm activations from systems maintained and monitored by accredited companies and will continue to do so.  

We have over 250 reputable and accredited alarm companies currently registered with their alarms office. 

Should your current alarm company stop trading, you have the option to transfer the maintenance and monitoring of your alarm to any one of the other accredited service providers.

When choosing a new alarm service provider you should take into account the following:

• Get at least 3 comparable quotes
• Compare the services and costs being offered by all the companies and be wary of paying for expensive cover and private security response that they may not need;
• You can speak to your local community policing teams for generalised home security advice.

To obtain information on companies who supply and install security systems, such as intruder alarms, hold-up alarms, CCTV systems etc. within your locality, we advise you contact the following Independent Inspectorate Bodies, who will furnish you with the relevant details. 

NSI (National Security Inspectorate) 
Sentinel House, 5 Reform Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 8BY        
Tel: 01628 637512 Fax: 01628 773367 E-mail: nsi@nsi.org.uk            
Website: www.nsi.org.uk 

SSAIB (Security Systems & Alarm Inspection Board) 
7-11 Earsdon Road, West Monkseaton, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear. NE25 9SX
Tel: 0191 296 3242 Fax: 0191 296 2667 E-mail: ssaib@ssaib.co.uk Website:  www.ssaib.org 

Independent Inspectorates are not-for-profit approval bodies who carry out inspection services for the security industry and protect customer interests. 

They are governed by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service), the sole accreditation service recognised by the Government. 

If you are planning to invest in a security alarm system which receives a police response to activations, then only security companies ‘approved’ by an Independent Inspectorate Body and who are listed with your police force and are permitted to offer this service.