Intruder alarms are designed to be loud when set off to deter would-be burglars and to protect property but should only sound for 20 minutes once set off.
Intruder alarms that are either poorly installed or not adequately maintained may trigger unnecessarily, causing disturbance to people in the neighbourhood. If an alarm is sounding continuously or repeatedly, then action may be taken by the Environmental Protection Team.
Guidance if you have an intruder alarm
- ensure that the alarm is correctly fitted and regularly maintained
- ensure it is fitted with a timed cut-out device that will silence the audible sound and reset after approx. 20 minutes
- check whether your alarm installer provides a call out service for when your alarm is sounding
- inform your local council of the names, addresses and contact details of all persons who can be called to deactivate the alarm, especially if the alarm does not reset quickly.
Guidance if you are disturbed by a neighbour’s intruder alarm
In the first instance:
- contact Lancashire Police if there is any sign of forced entry to the premises.
- Contact the call out service (information may be on the alarm box) or a key holder (if known) to request that they attend the premises to silence the alarm
To make a complaint about an intruder alarm – please click this link to use our online form
What the Council can do: The Environmental Protection Team will visit the premises to confirm the source of the alarm noise and will then try to contact any known key holder or owner/occupier of the premises regarding the matter. If this does not resolve the alarm noise, then an abatement notice may be served on the owner or occupier of the premises to require them to silence the noise from the alarm. If the notice is not complied with, a warrant may be applied for to gain entry to the premises and carry out work in default to silence the alarm.