ECHO (Electronic Call Handling Operations Ltd), the not-for-profit industry-arranged alarms handling operator, report the London-based firm Banham Security as their launch customer – the first UK alarm receiving centre (ARC) to be ECHO-connected, to send alarm signals to the police digitally. ECHO was set up for the switch from telephone communication between ARCs and police control rooms, to an ECHO-connected process. The aim, to speed up police response times by minutes by doing away with the human conversation between ARC operator and police call handler, and more accurate deployment of police to alarmed premises.
All approved ARCs in the UK are now able to get ECHO-connected for the certificated alarm systems they monitor as fitted by NSI and SSAIB approved installers. Connectivity to ECHO is being provided by BT Redcare and CSL networks. A part of ECHO ARC eligibility criteria is the cyber security Cyber Essentials/Plus certification.
Martin Herbert, Managing Director of Banham said: “Banham is delighted to be the first ECHO-connected Alarm Receiving Centre in the UK. This is an exciting moment, not only for Banham, but for the entire UK security industry. ECHO’s new technology has allowed us to transform the way our industry responds to alarm activations by rapidly reducing response times, providing support for the police and giving additional peace of mind to our customers. It has been a privilege to have worked in partnership with ECHO in achieving successful end to end testing of this ground-breaking technology at our in-house alarm receiving centre in south west London. Having remained at the forefront of burglary prevention for over 95 years, Banham are proud to have worked with ECHO in setting a new benchmark for security innovation and alarm monitoring for the industry.”
Richard Jenkins, Chief Executive at the National Security Inspectorate said: “Approved alarm installers across the UK will, during the course of 2021, be able to offer ECHO-connected alarm systems as police forces in turn adopt ECHO-connected alarm handling. This marks a significant additional degree of assurance for homeowners and businesses operating police response alarm systems.”
Richard Jenkins spoke to the ST20 Birmingham event in February 2020 about ECHO; like much else in public affairs, the timetable switch to digital alarms has since been delayed due to the covid pandemic.
Martin Harvey, Director, ECHO, added: “We are incredibly grateful to Banham for their support and assistance in the development of the ECHO concept over the last 3 or more years and welcome them as the first ECHO-connected UK Alarm Receiving Centre. The ECHO initiative is a shining example of how collaboration between the Police and the professional private security industry, when motivated to work together, can deliver significant and tangible benefits for all.”
About ECHO
Set up in 2017, ECHO (Electronic Call Handling Operations Ltd) is a not for profit industry backed body delivering automated alarm signalling between the alarms industry and the police; visit www.echo.uk.net.
