What is the best recommendation for home security alarm systems in the UK?
Posted by TheRetardedGoat@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 15 comments
Hi,
Not sure if this is the best place to ask, but I'm trying to determine the best home security alarm system based on people's recommendations?
We have looked at Simplisafe and Verisure which seems to have good reviews online but then Reddit saying they are bad but noone suggesting alternatives.
ADT and other traditional ones seem more expensive for what they give.
I already have EUFY cameras around so don't need video surveillance, I simply want a suitable alarm system which will alert the police if there's any major issues.
Any suggestions or assistance would be appreciated
JessAN45@reddit
since the post is few months old, anyone has any recommendations on security systems lately? moving to the new house soon and don't know ehich system tp pick
bakerjor01@reddit
hey, a new home owner here. has anyone tried abode security system? Even though this post is kind of old, I hope someone can help me
wibr4@reddit
Honestly, I've been super happy with my SimpliSafe system. I did a tonne of research before pulling the trigger, and what really sold me was the monitoring. Turns out, they use the same Securitas monitoring centres as Verisure, but without that crazy Verisure price tag.
I was seriously considering Verisure because everyone raves about their rapid response, but then I found out SimpliSafe taps into the same professional monitoring. It's like getting the premium service without the premium cost.
Plus, the DIY setup was a breeze. I'm not exactly tech-savvy, but I had the whole thing up and running in under an hour. The app is intuitive, and I love being able to arm/disarm and check on things remotely.
I've had a couple of false alarms (my cat is a menace), and the monitoring centre called me within seconds. It's really reassuring knowing they're on top of things. For me, it's the perfect balance of affordability and reliability. If you're looking for solid home security without breaking the bank, SimpliSafe is definitely worth checking out.
ledow@reddit
Police links are increasingly rare, never direct and are just expensive (basically the alarm company will call the police if you pay them lots of money for a subscription and they think they won't be wasting police time - they'll spend longer trying to contact you or other keyholders and expect you to deal with it than anything else).
The only person who cares about your home being broken into? You. So have the system alert... You. Including all the false positives because you made it too sensitive, the cat set it off, you forgot your cousin had been given a key, etc. etc. etc.
Buy a set of alarm things and fit them. They are all the same. PIRs are all the same. Window/door sensors are all the same. Even alarm boxes - all the same. And alarms are largely useless and mostly annoying if YOU ARE NOT ALERTED because nobody else can/will do anything about them in the modern age. I've lived in places where an alarm went off for 8 hours and the alarm company wouldn't do anything, the homeowner was on holiday, the neighbours just all got pissed off with it and ignored it, and the police said they couldn't do anything about it and the council would only consider it a noise issue, that's all.
Buy an alarm. Make sure it alerts YOU (as you're the only person in a position to judge if there's an actual break-in... for instance you could use your fancy cameras to see if you're being burgled should it go off, and alert the police yourself - a burglary in progress is a 999 call... a burglary discovered once you get home warrant only a PCSO turning up to get a statement at their convenience). Don't even bother with the "loud alarm" part (maybe inside the house? Nobody outside is going to care).
Not only is it cheaper, there are far less disturbances, no "boy who cried wolf" of your neighbours all ignoring it, you get the "police response" you're after, and only you have ever to deal with your stupid false alarms.
P.S. I deploy CCTV, access control and security alarms as part of my job.
TheRetardedGoat@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the detailed response, what supplier do you use for the sensors etc?
ledow@reddit
They're all pretty much the same.
A door sensor is just a reed switch and a magnet.
A PIR sensor uses basically the same sensors as everyone else.
Even water-leak sensors haven't changed in decades. All that happened is we went from wired to wireless to things like Zigbee and now cloud-controlled sensors.
If you have EUFY cameras, use EUFY sensors to keep it consistent.
No_Celebration_366@reddit
I found your posts on this really interesting. I'm currently looking for a system myself but starting from scratch.
In your professional opinion, is EUFY one you would recommend? What brand(s) are you using yourself for cameras and everything else?
RankByRent@reddit
Check out this. Is a top 3 review and a in-deepth guide. hope is helpful :D
Daviewalker1@reddit
Does the job nicely.
Deformedpye@reddit
Just put up a alarm box on the outside that is fake and some dummy cameras. Burglars are opportunists. If you put up things that could potentially get them nicked. They will go for another house. Light on a timer is also always a good thing. Are they going to chance someone might not be in with a light on. Also find house burglarising is becoming less common due to the risk vs reward. Its better to steal the car outside a house as its a quick job and you are away or break into a house with most having no substantial items of value. You aren't going to see someone sprint down the road holding a 60" TV.
TheRetardedGoat@reddit (OP)
Yeah but there has been an increase of burglary in my area whether that's just time of year or something else I don't know.
Accomplished-Salt797@reddit
Electrical_Fuel_332@reddit
Controversial, but probably more hassle than it's worth. Unlikely that the police will be alerted, even more unlikely that they will give a fuck about it.
Keep anything super valuable in a bank, wack a big old alarm on the side of the house (we have one, no idea if it ever worked). Also have a dog which helps.
Left_Doubt4267@reddit
I would try to think like a potential Intruder, all security devices are primarily a deterrent. I don't believe monitored systems go to the police, they go to a monitoring station,who in turn pass the alert on, if it gets to the police , I don't think a burglary is high on their priorities. If you have something that someone really wants they will not worry about alarms. Make your house a more difficult target than your neighbours. Most burglars are chancers, windows open, doors unlocked, crappy padlocks. Look at all the wealthy that are burgled they have state of the art security and that doesn't stop the determined thief. You can turn your house into a fortress, bars on windows etc but who wants to live like that.
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