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

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

In fact, over 90% of alarms are false due to faulty equipment.

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. The Council can require the installation of cut-out devices if an alarm system gives rise to nuisance.

Key-holders

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

A Code of Practice advises alarm key-holders to provide both the Police and the Local Authority, in writing, with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least two key-holders who can operate and silence the alarm. This should be done within 48 hours of installing or taking over an alarm.

Ideally, each key-holder should 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.

The Suffolk Constabulary offer a keyholder service called Suffolk SAFEKey. To find out more about Suffolk SAFEKey and how you can register please click on the following link:

SAFEKey website

To notify Mid Suffolk District Council of the keyholder details please write to the address below:

Alarms causing a noise nuisance

If a council officer is satisfied that an alarm is causing a noise nuisance and is unable to contact a key-holder within a reasonable period of time to silence the alarm, then formal action will be taken to abate 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 attend to silence the alarm.

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

To make a complaint about a nuisance alarm please contact Customer Service Direct via the link below:

Customer Service Direct