§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to how many premises are fitted with audible intruder alarms and in respect of what proportion of these the police have been notified of at least two keyholders.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI understand from the Commissioner that this information is not available as there is no requirement to report the installation of alarms signalled by bells only. Where such notification is nevertheless received, it is force policy to require the alarm holder to notify the police of at least two keyholders.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide details of the operation of the list of premises where false alarms regularly originate, maintained by the Metropolitan police; whether the police intend to make a charge for removal of such premises from the list; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that no such list is maintained for alarms signalled by bells only. Records are, however, kept of alarm systems whose signals go to the police direct632W or via central stations maintained by alarm companies. The Metropolitan police, in common with other police forces in England and Wales, continues to operate a policy of withdrawal of direct police response to such alarms if they 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. There is currently no charge for this inspection, but the Commissioner is considering the introduction of one.