False alarms aren’t just irritating. They disrupt your team, dent your reputation and eat into your profits. Worse still, they can lead to a loss of police response, damage customer confidence and even invalidate your insurance.
While fire alarm activations are also disruptive and increasingly regulated, this guide focuses on minimising false intruder alarms – and how you can take control to protect your business and reputation.
False Intruder Alarms: Don’t Risk Losing Police Response
When an intruder alarm goes off without reason, it’s more than annoying: it could cost you your police response entirely.
More than 3 false alarms per year can result in the suspension of your URN (Unique Reference Number) – meaning police may no longer attend when you really need them.
The risks?
- No response to break-ins
- Increased insurance premiums
- Potential refusal of cover altogether
Avoid Losing Your URN Through False Alarms By:
Dual-Path Signalling and Video Verification
Why it matters: Dual-path signalling uses two independent communication routes (such as mobile and landline) to ensure signals always reach your monitoring centre. This reduces the risk of false dispatches caused by signal loss or delays.
Video or audio verification adds another layer: control room operators can assess whether an activation is real before notifying the police, significantly cutting down false alarms.
Maintain Systems to NSI Gold or SSAIB Standards
Why it matters: Both NSI Gold and SSAIB certified companies meet strict British and European standards for alarm system design, installation and maintenance.
Certification to either standard ensures your provider is regularly audited and compliant with key standards like BS 8243:2021, which is specifically focused on reducing false alarms and confirming genuine intrusions.
By working with a certified provider, you’re far more likely to avoid technical faults or user errors – and to maintain your eligibility for police response through a valid URN.
Train Staff on Set/Unset Procedures
Why it matters: Many false alarms are simply caused by incorrect use of the system – such as failing to disarm it properly.
Training staff on correct procedures, assigning individual user codes and ensuring clear instructions are in place can make a huge difference.
Keep Accurate Incident Logs
Why it matters: Without proper records, it’s hard to spot trends. Are the same users triggering alarms? Is a particular sensor faulty?
Keeping detailed logs of all alarm events helps identify patterns, guide improvements and support compliance with police and insurance expectations.
Modern intruder alarm systems are highly reliable – but only if used and maintained correctly. Combine smart verification, NSI Gold/SSAIB oversight, proper training and logging for a proactive approach that protects your premises without unnecessary disruptions.
What About False Fire Alarms?
While this article focuses on intruder systems, fire alarm activations also present serious risks and are increasingly regulated.
Across the UK, fire services are tightening policies. For example, just 10 false fire alarms a year may incur fines of £290 + VAT per activation from London Fire Brigade, with other regions (like Essex) launching awareness campaigns to reduce the burden false alarms place on emergency services.
It’s advisable for businesses to work with BAFE-certified fire safety providers, ensure monthly maintenance checks, and train staff to use fire systems correctly.
Impact on Emergency Services and Response Times
False alarms don’t just affect your business – they have a serious knock-on effect on emergency services.
When fire crews or police are called out for a false activation, they’re diverted from real emergencies where lives or property might be at risk. And over time, repeated false callouts erode trust in your site’s reliability.
- Delayed response times for genuine emergencies – sometimes by 20 minutes or more
- Lower morale among responders, who are pulled away from critical incidents
- Increased risk to the public, especially if false calls become routine in a given area
The average false alarm costs the public purse over £300 in wasted resource and logistics. Multiply that across hundreds of businesses and you see why the tolerance for repeat activations is so low.
That’s why police services withdraw URNs and fire services impose charges – it’s about ensuring real emergencies get the fast, focused response they deserve.
False Alarm Policies in Essex
Essex Police
Essex Police follow the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Security Systems Policy when it comes to intruder alarm response.
While they do not currently fine for false callouts, they may withdraw police response if an alarm system generates repeated false alarms.
To maintain police attendance, Essex businesses should:
- Ensure alarm systems are installed and maintained by NSI Gold or SSAIB certified providers
- Implement confirmed alarm verification technology to reduce false activations
- Train staff on proper set/unset procedures and system use
- Log all alarm incidents to track and address recurring issues
By taking these preventative steps, businesses in Essex can avoid service disruptions and ensure emergency response remains active when it matters most.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS)
While ECFRS does not currently impose direct charges for false fire alarm callouts, they take persistent false alarms seriously.
Frequent false alarms, known as “Unwanted Fire Signals” (UwFS), may result in non-attendance to automatic fire alarm activations
unless there are clear signs of fire – such as a 999 call or visual confirmation from the premises.
This approach helps ensure fire crews remain available for genuine emergencies. Businesses experiencing recurring false alarms
are encouraged to work with their alarm system providers to resolve issues promptly.
Failure to address persistent false activations could lead to enforcement actions under fire safety legislation.
Modern Solutions and Technological Advancements
Today’s security systems are smarter and more effective than ever – but only when properly specified and used.
- Smart sensors distinguish between real threats and harmless activity
- Video verification confirms incidents before emergency dispatch
- Mobile apps let you manage and assess activations instantly
By using the right technology, you gain peace of mind and stay on the right side of regulations and emergency services.
Time to Take Control of the False Alarm Problem
False alarms are more than a nuisance. They can cost you time, money, police response… and even compromise your insurance cover.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Investing in better technology, training and maintenance means fewer disruptions, happier staff and stronger emergency service relationships.
Take action today and put false alarms behind you. Your business, your reputation and your bottom line will thank you.
