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alarms are also a serious waste of Police
manpower.
The Government is examining a number of options
to improve the situation. One is to introduce
legislation to enable the courts to fine the
occupier of premises for each false alarm.
Another is to ban audible alarms altogether on
premises which include residential accommodation.
A third is to empower the Police to investigate
the causes of false alarms, inspect alarm systems
and empower them to order improvements. A fourth
option would be to regulate the design and
specification of audible alarm systems. Finally,
consideration might be given to requiring alarm
systems to be fitted with an automatic cut-off
mechanism to operate after a fixed period.
The Fight Crime Committee will be asked to consider
the advantages and disadvantages of all these
options in the near future.