Question No. 5
Reply by
The Hon. Michael Thomas, CMG, QC, Attorney General
to a question from the Hon. TAM Yiu-chung in the Legislative Council on 12 March 1986
Question
With regard to the frequent false sounding of burglary alarm at night in densely populated urban areas, which disturbed the peace of neighbouring residents, will Government inform this Council
(i) the statistical figures concerning
false alarm cases at night recorded last year;
(ii)
(iii)
the way in which Government handles such cases;
and
whether Government considers the false alarm soundings have caused serious noise nuisance; and if so, what measures will be taken by the Government to improve the situation?
Reply
Sir,
(i) No statistics are available for the false sounding
of audible alarms.
(ii) When the Police learn that a burglary alarm of
any type has gone off, officers immediately go
to the premises. If the alarm turns out to be
false and the premises are locked, they wait
until the person responsible for the premises
can be found so that the alarm can be switched
off. Unfortunately, to find the person can
take some time, particularly at night.
(iii)
The Government fully appreciates that burglary
alarms can cause serious noise nuisance. False