Recent studies have shown that a visible alarm system can act as a deterrent to burglars and the Metropolitan Police website for Operation Bumblebee has given the thumbs up to home burglar alarms, stating that they are a "worthwhile investment for the protection of your home and family".

The Police also recommend that all installations should meet with British Standard 4737/BS EN 50131, a hard wired type of system that is more reliable than the cheaper DIY wire-free packages which are commercially available. These alarms also conform to the Association of Chief Police Officers Intruder Alarm Policy.

The only wire-free version which conforms to both British Standards and the ACPO Intruder Alarm Policy is BS 6799 Class VI Alarm, a model which is more expensive than the hard-wired version.

You should check that any model which claims to meet British Standards specifies BS 4737/BS EN 50131 or 6799 as some people have been confused by the electrical standard rather than the alarm system.

(Note from Spy Alarms: BS4737 is an outdated standard and the correct ones are:

All our new equipment and its installation complies with the current standard for Intruder & Hold-up Alarm Systems (I&HAS) PD6662 (the UK implementation of EN50131)

Additional compliance, depending on the grade and option chosen, is to DD243 2004 and the current ACPO Policy on Police Response to security systems for remotely monitored Intruder & Hold-Up Alarm Systems (I&HAS))

They also ask that all alarm systems should have two keyholders, trained to operate the alarm, able to attend activation within 20 minutes, contactable by telephone and with their own transport.