Alarm installation companies at an awards ceremony at New Scotland Yard celebrated success in achieving the lowest average false alarm rates in the industry. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), in association with BT RedCARE, hosted the awards.
Some 83 per cent of all intruder alarm calls passed to the police for attendance in the MPS area in 2000 were false. The Metropolitan Police Service Intruder Alarm Awards Scheme was established to raise awareness of the need to reduce unacceptable volumes of false alarm activations and ensure alarm systems remain an effective deterrent to crime. This is the first BT RedCARE sponsored event. Presenting the awards, Commander Ron McPherson, Communications Programmes Manager at MPS, said: ?A reduction in false alarm calls can only be achieved with the co-operation of the private security industry. This scheme recognises their tremendous contribution to this effort and we would encourage the industry to continue supporting us in this very important way.? The award s are in three categories, judged according to number of installations. The winner of each category recorded the lowest average false alarm rate, per system, per year in 2000 to 2001. This year?s gold?winners are Banham Alarms (large installer), Westec Security Limited (medium) and Blitz Security Group (small). Silver awards went to Chubb Electronic Security (large); London East Security Centre (medium) and Telecom Security Direct (small). Bronze awards went to ADT Fire and Security (large), British Gas Home Security (medium) and Security Masters (small). Attending the ceremony, Simon Scott, general manager at BT RedCARE, said: ?BT RedCARE is delighted to sponsor this year?s award ceremony, which has become an important benchmark for the security industry. BT RedCARE continues to work closely with installers to offer guidance and advice on a variety of industry issues, including, for example, the ACPO Security Systems 2000 policy.? Winners are entitled to use the ?Alarm Performance Award? logo for up to three years. Wooden plaques with an MPS helmet badge are presented yearly, with the ceremony in Peelers Restaurant at New Scotland Yard.
About BT RedCARE
BT RedCARE operates the largest security network of its kind, with more than 350,000 connections. Its intelligent signalling technology is recognised within the industry as a secure alarm signalling service. All BT RedCARE products conform to the highest level; European Standard 50131-1 level: Grade 4. BT RedCARE is part of the BT Retail division of British Telecommunications plc.
