Do burglar alarms deter burglars?

Why does a visible bell box matter?

A burglar weighing up a street looks for the easiest target. A bell box on the front of a house says the property is alarmed before anyone reaches the door. That changes the decision at the point it is made, from the pavement.

The box has to look current to do that job. A faded, cracked or obviously disconnected box suggests the alarm behind it no longer works. A box at the front and another at the back cover both approaches.

Locks & Alarms Ltd prints its phone number on its bell boxes, so the box also shows that the system is looked after.

What does a sounding alarm do?

An alarm does not stop a door being forced. It makes noise at the moment of entry, and noise draws attention. An intruder who expected time inside now has to work under a siren with the neighbours alerted, which is the pressure an alarm is there to create.

Smart alarm systems can also send a notification to your phone when the alarm triggers, depending on the system configuration, so you know about it when you are away from home.

Does an alarm still deter if it is not maintained?

Less so. An alarm that is never set protects nothing, and one that goes off repeatedly for no reason teaches the neighbours to ignore it. Both problems are avoidable: set the alarm whenever the house is empty, and have it serviced so faults are found before they cause false alarms.

Locks & Alarms Ltd installs wired, hybrid and wireless burglar alarms, and services systems it fitted as well as existing ones. Its review history includes annual servicing and battery replacement, and customers who have used the firm for 13 and 20 years. A free quote visit looks at the alarm together with the locks, lighting and any CCTV.