§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Metropolitan police have taken and what advice they have sought from other police forces to reduce the incidence of attendance at false alerts from burglar alarms; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that, in common with other police forces in England and Wales, he operates a policy of withdrawal of direct police response to alarms which494W generate an unacceptable number of false calls. Police response is reinstated only after a specified period and after inspection by the Metropolitan police burglar alarm inspectorate. Guidelines on intruder alarm policies were issued to forces by the Association of Chief Police Officers last April and the Metropolitan police were involved in the preparation of these.