Better House Security - Alarm Or Cctv?

[hc4361]

I have neither alarm nor CCTV in my house but as the house is going to be empty for longer periods I think the time has come.

Which is the best deterrent? How much should I expect to spend on either system for a typical 3 bed semi?
Is it better to have the system professionally installed?

[Eve]

Do you mean just empty of people, rather than empty of anything?

I'm not sure about the cost, but would you have anyone who would pick up on or check out your alarm going off?

CCTV which picks up and alerts you to motion could mean you have a better chance of calling the police as a crime is being committed (subject to you being able to notice an alert though) and having video evidence to assist in catching them.

I'd say the camera were more of a deterrent if placed so they couldn't be tampered with, but I'd go for both, I live in a fairly bad area though.

Some burglars are prolific and chances are the police may know who anyone picked up is (depending on how well "masked") to assist in a conviction.

[Peaspeculiars]

If you aren't going to be there, I would suggest CCTV which will alert yourself (if linked to your phone) of a break-in and you can contact the police from a distance - neither alarm nor CCTV are much of a deterrent if they have been watching for a while and know you aren't in the property, and neighbours are usually to scared to investigate an alarm sounding, however CCTV will help you to prosecute as long as it records to an external server that the intruders can't get hold of and destroy.
I don't know what the cost would be, but my boss has it at his house, he is in the property sector business-wise, and he got it professionally installed rather than do it himself (might be down to guarantee's that come with it rather than a DIY job)

[hc4361]

Just empty of people, Eve. I live in a low crime area and there has been no burglaries to my knowledge, but I think it is better to be safe than sorry.

I like the idea of getting a text to alert me. I wouldn't like to ask a neighbour to check up if the alarm went off.

[hc4361]

Thanks, also, Peas. It does seem that CCTV is the way to go. I'll have to investigate it thoroughly.

[Peaspeculiars]

I hope you find a good system for your home Hc - My parents never had one, live in the sticks, friendly village and no crime, they left garage, gates, shed etc all open for years.. then after being burgled during the night (garage, shed, outbuildings all stripped), they now have an alarm system and padlocks everywhere should they ever come back and try to get into the house too. If they were away from the property for long periods, they would definitely look into getting CCTV too just in case.
ADT do the alarms for the company I work with and their control centre response to alarm activation service is great, and the false alarm rate is extremely low - but install costs can be pricey for businesses and on a contract - however, ADT would be a good company to google to see if they do a non-commercial set-up for CCTV & Alarm combined?

[Eve]

I'm sure I've seen ADT alarms on homes round here, more households than not have them, but more the area really. Better than where I lived in Leeds where many had grills over doors and windows but have seen a few go up near here lately.

I'm quite lucky in that I have good neighbours and near neighbours and they have checked out an alarm before now to check nothing happening, as I have. Next door's cameras they put up got a great video of some local prolific burglar who was merrily shifting the bins out the way to access the back when he clocked the camera and sauntered (!!!) away, police knew him but he hadn't committed a crime at that point! Probably the same one I'd scared off not long before - the noise he was making was ridiculous! Like they just aren't bothered.

[hc4361]

Thanks, Peas, that's a good starting point. :)

Don't know if I've asked you before, did you used to be a regular poster on eBay's Q&A forum?

[Eve]

...the pretty clear picture was able to be emailed round the Home Watch group though with a warning to be on the look out!

[hc4361]

That sounds scary and frustrating, Eve!

[Eve]

It is a bit, definitely frustrating! I'm lucky in that next door's camera covers the access to the back for both of us and out the front too. A very high gate has also since been erected.

We get emails from the police (a sign up thing) which set out all the actual and attempted burglaries in the last period since they emailed, it's always a lot and there never seems to be much about any of them getting caught.

I'm a bit paranoid about my security here with all that, especially being a "lone female" with mobility issues, hence my suggestion of both so maybe a bit OTT for you.

It's quite common to hear alarms going off round here, I do wonder whether anyone checks them like we do if possible for each other round here.

[Peaspeculiars]

Hey Eve - I know, it's great to have good neighbours - my next door ones watch everything like a hawk...quite daunting when we fist moved in as the curtains, they were a'twitching when we were walking to the front door, but now after 9 years we really appreciate it :-) we look out for all our neighbours houses, especially if we know they are away.
I lived in leeds for 3 years and was broken into when I was home for the summer (as a student) luckily, in them days, my computer which was hidden under a dressing gown at the bottom of the wardrobe, weighed a ton - not like these flat screen PC's and laptops that you get now, so they left it with all my uni work on.

Hc, nope, not guilty, although my ebay username is peaspeculiars too, I've never ventured onto the ebay forums.... have I missed anything good? ;-)

[hc4361]

Peas, the forum used to get very exciting but they closed it down years ago

[Peaspeculiars]

Ah, well, this one will do then :-)

[KennethReynolds]

I would say having both systems would be best. A CCTV system on its own will not necessarily deter criminals from breaking into your home, but having a CCTV system will help you to see any abnormal activity in and around your home. You can then call for help, but this is provided that you see someone trying to break into your house.

Having a professionally installed system that is monitored will help to deter robbers more because you can ask to install extra features such as motion and light sensors, and window and door sensors. These kinds of features will more often than not scare thieves away and if something does go wrong, the monitoring company will dispatch help right away,whereas if you only have a CCTV system, there’s no one to call the police unless you catch someone trying to break in on your cameras.

I would do some research and get a few quotes. Also, see what kind of features you want to have including a CCTV system and sensors. Source: https://www.firstsecurityservices.com/sacramento-private-security-guards-services/