Neighbourhood Watch Crime & Community Survey

Posted on 15/03/202415/03/2024 by PFS Team

A survey, conducted by Neighbourhood Watch and SimpliSafe Home Security, has revealed the extent of the public’s concerns about their security.

The survey, which took place from October – November 2023 and collected almost 29,000 responses across England and Wales, shows a majority of people believe crime levels in their area have either increased or remained stable. Only 2% of those polled believe crime has decreased in their area.

The results also show that a home burglary is the second most common crime people worry about, with criminal damage to their property coming in seventh.

Perhaps the most worrying statistic is that 37% of people have been a victim of, or witnessed, a crime in the previous 12 months. Regionally, this was highest in Greater London, the North East, and West Midlands; and lowest in the South West, East of England, and the South East.

Some other findings include:

27% of those surveyed lacked a feeling of safety, with 4% of those feeling “very unsafe”
Antisocial behaviour, burglary, and cybercrime, are the three crimes people are most worried about
Over half of under 44’s said they had experienced a crime, compared to just over a quarter of over 65’s
46% of those who had experienced a crime either didn’t report it to the police, or stopped before completing the report.
The most common reason for this was the feeling that nothing would be done

Thankfully there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of crime to you or your property. Visual deterrents such as intruder alarm bellboxes, CCTV cameras and security lighting can make your property less appealing to criminals. Good security practices such as locking windows and doors when you go out, or not leaving valuables on show, will also help reduce the likelihood of a break in.

Another worthwhile step is joining a community-based group such as Neighbourhood Watch. With a burglary taking place in the UK approximately every 106 seconds, prevention is a key focus. You can find out how to join, as well as the benefits membership provides, HERE

Should you wish to discuss any aspect of your home or business security with one of our team of experts, or to book in a free, no-obligation survey at your property, get in touch with PFS via our contact form HERE

The full Crime and Community survey can be found HERE

The Benefits Of Intruder Alarm Servicing

Posted on 11/03/202415/03/2024 by PFS Team

Contrary to popular belief, there is more to securing your home than simply having an intruder alarm system installed. Keeping your alarm system maintained with regular servicing is essential to ensure it is operating effectively and providing the necessary level of protection.

But how often should you have your intruder alarm serviced? For bells only alarms, annual servicing is recommended. However, monitored alarm systems should be serviced every six months. The servicing must be carried out by a qualified professional that is verified by a third party body, such as the National Security Inspectorate (NSI).

The importance of alarm servicing cannot be overstated. Intruder alarm systems comprise of many complex elements so these need to be checked and, if necessary, replaced or upgraded. Keeping a regular intruder alarm servicing schedule ensures everything is functioning correctly and will prevent faults from developing before it is too late.

In this article, we list some of the benefits of regularly servicing your alarm system:

Keep Your Property Protected

Intruder alarm systems are one of the best ways to deter break-ins at your home or business. However, even properties with intruder alarms suffer from criminals breaking and entering, so if your alarm fails to detect an intruder, or fails to sound, then its effectiveness is nullified. Regular servicing and maintenance will prevent the likelihood of this happening and keep your property protected.

Prevent Future Faults

Prevention is always better than the cure. During a service, professional engineers will inspect and test the components of your alarm system, identifying any potential issues and correcting them before they become a larger problem. Some new systems have the ability to do remote servicing, meaning only 1 visit per year by an engineer and 3 services conducted remotely – a more frequent checking of your alarm system.

Insurance Benefits

Some insurance providers specify that you must have an intruder alarm system protecting your property, especially if it’s a business. Some will even offer discounted premiums for customers with an alarm system installed. Regular alarm servicing can be a requirement of these policies. This is to ensure your system is working to the correct standard, avoiding any potential problems in the event of a claim.

Extend Your Alarm’s Effectiveness

By having your alarm system regularly maintained, you reduce the possibility of time-consuming and costly repairs. Keeping on top of minor issues with a servicing plan will extend the lifespan of your alarm, saving you the cost of a replacement system.

Provide Peace Of Mind

Knowing your intruder alarm has been serviced by a qualified engineer, you can enjoy peace of mind that your system is working effectively and your property is secured. And with a regular servicing plan, you will be reminded when your next service is due so you never have to worry about your system falling into disrepair.

Whether for your home or business, you can relax knowing that a regularly-serviced alarm system is securing your property and keeping you safe.

To discuss maintenance and servicing for your intruder alarm system, contact PFS and speak to one of our experts today. Our NSI Gold accreditation ensures that we work to the highest levels of service and competence.

BT Redcare To Close

Posted on 06/02/202407/02/2024 by PFS Team

BT announced last week that its Redcare operations will cease next year, after over 30 years in business.

On the BT Redcare website, they state that they have “made the difficult decision to close all BT Redcare operations on 1 August 2025”. The company appreciates this will not be welcome news, so are giving as much notice as they possibly can.

A BT spokesman said, “As part of our strategy to simplify our business portfolio and focus on delivering core products and services for our customers, we have decided to close our Redcare business in 2025.

“We have informed all our Redcare customers, to give them enough advance notice to find alternative suppliers – and we will be supporting them during this process.”

We wish to reassure all PFS customers using Redcare products, that we are formulating a plan to transfer their connections to an alternative product and will be here to assist them throughout the transition.

This will essentially fall in line with our Critical Upgrade Programme, where BT will be shutting off the public switched telephone network (PSTN), also in 2025.

Three Effective Ways to Improve Your Business’s Security

Posted on 02/04/202213/03/2023 by PFS Team

Here at PFS Security Systems we offer a number of solutions that will help you keep your business secure. Crime is on the rise in many parts of the UK, and it is often business premises that are the target if burglaries and vandalism. If there are weaknesses in your security, it may only be a matter of time before the criminals take advantage of this. Here are just three options that you might like to consider for improving the security of your property:

Access Control Solutions

One of the keys to keeping your business safe is to closely control the people who have access to your property. There are a number of viable options for how you can do this. If you always have somebody at the front desk, a good option might be to install a door entry intercom system. On the other hand, if you have people coming at all times of the day or night, a much better option could be to use smart card technology. PFS Security Systems can provide many different access control solutions, and we will be happy to help you find the option that will work best for you.

CCTV

A CCTV solution can mean that you will have every sensitive part of your premises monitored. It is even possible to create 360 degree coverage. Just having CCTV in place will be enough to deter most criminals. Us here at PFS Security Systems can not only install CCTV for you, but we can also arrange for remote viewing so that you can keep an eye on your property no matter where you are in the world. CCTV can work particularly well when it is combined with other security measures. We will be able provide something suitable for both manned and unmanned sites.

Intruder Alarms

There are many different types of intruder alarm, and there will be something to suit the needs of every kind of business. There are also a range of alarms to suit different budgets. The most important factor with any intruder alarm is that it is reliable, and we only ever deal with quality products. We will also be able to provide twenty-four hour monitoring to ensure that if the intruder alarm is triggered, it will be dealt with. Our team is committed to providing you with the alarm system that will best suit your needs, and the needs of your business. PFS Security Solutions is ready to help you make your property more secure. Contact us right now to find out about the security options that will work best for your business premises.

What Are The Costs Of Not Having Property Alarms?

Posted on 14/03/202213/03/2023 by PFS Team

Installing an alarm system at your property is going to involve a little bit of financial investment initially, yet this is money is well spent when you consider the cost of not having this level of protection in place. Detailed below are some of the issues that can arise if an alarm system is not installed at your premises:

Lack of a Property Alarm Leads to Worry

If your property is not properly secured, you will have good reason to worry. Criminals are always on the lookout for opportunities, and they are highly skilled when it comes to exploiting security weaknesses. A lack of an alarm has the potential to lead to stress and worry, and could even lead to some sleepless nights.

Lack of a Property Alarm Means Loss of Privacy

If you do not take your own security seriously, you shouldn’t be too surprised to find that other people don’t respect it either. As a result, this could mean that complete strangers decide to treat your private property as if it were a public building – especially when it comes to commercial premises. By installing an alarm system, you make it clear that your property is private.

The Financial Cost of Stolen Belongings Can be High

If any criminals manage to gain access to your property, there is a good chance that a number of your belongings will be stolen. It is often the case that we only realise the value of our assets after they have been stolen and whilst some items may be easy to replace after a burglary, there are also likely to be some things that require a considerable financial outlay to replace.

Lack of a Property Alarm Can Mean Higher Insurance Costs

The cost of property insurance is based on the level of risk involved, so the lack of a quality alarm system is going to be a concern for any insurance company. If the insurance company decides that your property is at high risk of burglary as a result there being no alarm system in place, this is likely to mean the cost of your premium will be high. The cost of not having a quality property alarm in place is excessive, yet by choosing one of our systems here at PFS Security Systems, you will have the level of protection you need. This is an investment that provides a guaranteed return because it brings benefits from the moment it is installed. Contact us now so we can discuss your security needs.

Why Choose PFS Security Systems?

Posted on 24/02/202213/03/2023 by PFS Team

What we aim to provide here at PFS Security Systems is not only some of the most sophisticated and advanced intruder alarm, CCTV and fire alarm systems around, but we compliment our outstanding products with a complete and all-round service. We want you to feel secure, comfortable and have trust not only in our alarm systems, but trust in the service you receive from us. Whenever the security of your property, well-being and those around you is at risk, it really is no laughing matter, which is why you can have peace of mind thanks to our years of experience and boundless expertise. Operating throughout Oxford, Reading, Bristol and the surrounding areas, we are dedicated and committed to providing your communities with security systems that are effective, efficient and most importantly secure.

But what makes us stand out from the rest?

1. Sophisticated Security Systems

We are proud to boast only the most advanced and technologically-enhanced security products around. Depending on the size, scale and magnitude of your security operation, our knowledgeable security experts are trained in not only installing your security systems, but also training there use. So whether you’re in need of CCTV surveillance, responsive fire alarms or secure burglar alarms, you can have faith in our products.

2. Tailored & Bespoke Service

We understand more than anyone the uniqueness and different factors that must be considered when it comes to security, which is why we tailor each of our projects to your individual needs and requirements. From budget, to scale, to location, our experts are on hand to answer any queries as well as advise and assist you.

3. A ‘Secure’ Reputation

You don’t become as established an outfit as us here at PFS security systems without being good at what you do. Since we were founded in 1989, we have continued to go from strength to strength, leading the way in the development and advancement of security systems and their implementation both domestically and commercially. But don’t take our word for it. Be sure to check out our website to find your nearest security specialists.

Intruder Alarms For Domestic & Commercial Safety

Posted on 08/02/202213/03/2023 by PFS Team

No one likes the idea of someone unknowingly creeping around their property. Whether you’re a dedicated homeowner or an astute corporation, the security of your residence is something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Luckily, we are here to help. Here at PFS Security Systems, we are leading specialists in the supply, installation and implementation of a whole host of security systems. We take security seriously so that you can have peace of mind that once left, your residence is as protected and prepared should any unwanted visitors come knocking.

Impeccable Intruder Alarms

With nearly 25 years’ experience in our industry, if there’s one thing we know, it’s how to ensure that your premises are as secure as can be. Whether you’re looking for simple and effective intruder alarms, or state-of-the-art CCTV surveillance systems, we can find the alarm system that is right for your residence. We can proudly boast a wide range of reliable and effective intruder alarms and detection units. Our Redcare technology allows a whole range of secure monitoring whilst our wireless hybrid, audible and speech dialler systems ensure that you can find the system that you can integrate into your premises.

The Future Of Intruder Alarms

With an emphasis on connectivity and a quick response, as well as supplying standard intruder alarms to Oxford, Reading and the surrounding areas, we can implement some of the most advanced systems around. Through a wireless internet connection, you can control your security system without even being in the residence. Hooked up to your computer, laptop or smart phone, you can monitor your premises from anywhere in the world giving you peace of mind. Our qualified experts are on hand to help train and assist you in ensuring that your system is as secure and accessible as possible. Be sure to check out our website for a full look at our security services.