Pollution Control - Intruder Alarms

Description

Many people and businesses like to protect their property by fitting an intruder alarm. Alarms are designed to attract attention when there is a break in, but they also sound if there is a fault as most are designed to fail to safe - which means that if in doubt they activate. Intruder alarms are sensitive and can develop faults and activate by accident. If you are away and cannot turn the alarm off your alarm can cause intense local disturbance preventing people working and sleeping. If an alarm sounds for over 20 minutes it may result in action being taken against the owner for causing a noise nuisance. Some alarm owners end up having to pay costs and/or fines if no-one can be contacted and the alarm has to be turned off by pollution control officers.

Legislation

Pollution Control can take action under Section 80 of The Environmental Protection Act 1990 in cases where audible burglar alarms are causing a statutory nuisance.

Eligibility

Any resident experiencing disturbance due to a burglar alarm can contact Regulatory Services to make a complaint.

Procedure

For complaints about burglar alarms, contact us using the details provided. When investigating an a burglar alarm, we aim to take reasonable steps to;

• to find the owner or occupier of the property or vehicle
• give the owner or occupier a reasonable time to silence the alarm
• take care and not cause damage to the property or vehicle
• never leave a property or vehicle unsecured after we have entered it
• take the most appropriate action to minimise disturbance to residents
• make every effort to inform the owner or occupier of our actions.

If the owner can't be contacted or the alarm can't be silenced in reasonable time, Pollution Control will employ specialist contractors to silence the alarm. In silencing the alarm we will recover our costs from the owners of the property for the actions undertaken.

Helplines

Regulatory Services, Pollution Control Team: 01226 772468 e-mail: regulatoryservices@barnsley.gov.uk

Opening Times/Locations

08.30 - 17.00 Hrs Monday - Thursday, 08.300 - 16.30 Hrs Friday

How the customer can help

 Your request for service (complaint) should include the following information:-

• the address/site/area that is causing the problem
• when and for how long the problem was noticed
• how the problem affected you or another person
• any action you have taken to resolve the problem yourself

Owner Officer Contact Details

Principal Officer,
Pollution Control,
Regulatory Services,
PO Box 602,
Barnsley,
S70 9FB

Tel: (01226) 772468

Supporting Information

House owners can follow these four simple steps owners can avoid their alarm causing any problems. 

1. Make sure your alarm is installed by a qualified engineer and is set at the right level of sensitivity.
2. Make sure your alarm is well maintained.
3. Make sure your alarm has a cut out device fitted. The sounders should cut out after a maximum of 20 minutes, whatever has caused it to activate.
4. Make sure you register the keyholder details for your alarm with the Police and the Pollution Control Team at the Council. Remember to update everyone if they change.

Even if you try your best your alarm could still be triggered. Common causes of activation include a fault with the alarm, electrical storms, decorations or curtains moving in a draft, pets and animals e.g. spider webs on sensors and, last but not least, intruders. If your keyholder details are registered then you can be contacted quickly, should we receive any complaints about the alarm.

It is best that you register more than one keyholder as this improves the chance of the authorities contacting someone in the event of a problem and will save the need and cost of forced entry to turn the alarm off. 

Please complete the form and return it by post or fax to both: -

Pollution Control Team
Regulatory Services
PO Box 602
Barnsley
S70 9FB

Fax. No. (01226) 775699.

Community Service Desk
South Yorkshire Police
Churchfields
Barnsley
S70 2DL
Fax. No. (01226) 736373

Useful Forms

• Download the Alarm Advice Key Holder.pdf (429kb)