§ Mr. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action he is proposing to take to ensure that the nuisance of the burglar alarm that is accidently set off is effectively dealt with;
(2) whether he intends to publish a code of good practice concerning the accidental setting off of burglar alarms.
(3) whether he is having discussions with the companies that make burglar alarms about the problems of the accidental setting off of these alarms.
§ Mr. MarksWe intend to issue a code of practice on minimising noise from burglar alarms as soon as consultations are complete. This code of practice would fall to be approved under Section 71 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. The Department has already consulted representatives of local authorities, the police, and the insurance and security companies, among others.
331WThe draft code calls on owners or hirers of alarm systems to nominate reliable keyholders who will undertake to respond quickly to a call by the police, requiring them to silence an alarm. The code should provide manufacturers and installers of alarms with a strong incentive to improve the mechanical reliability of their systems.