Intruder alarms which sound out and do not have a cut off device installed can be a real nuisance to a lot of people living nearby. There are requirements for property owners given in the government Code of Practice, which is enforced by the council, which help reduce the likelihood of a Noise nuisance from an activated alarm occurring for a long period.
Firstly, all intruder alarms should have a cut off device installed which silences the alarm after it has been sounding for 20 minutes.
Secondly, keyholders' names and contact details should have been supplied to both the Police and the Council so they can be contacted to isolate the alarm should it be activated when the owners are away from the property.
If a keyholder for the premises can’t be found, the Pollution Control officer can serve a notice to require the alarm to be silenced and repaired. If necessary a warrant can be obtained from the magistrates court to enter a premises with a locksmith and alarm engineer to rectify a fault and reset the alarm. Any reasonable costs incurred by the Council can then be reclaimed from the person responsible for the property.
Your alarm provider should have given you a form to complete for the Police and Environmental Services. If you have not got one of these, the Pollution Control section in the Environmental Services Directorate will supply you with one. Please contact us using the Contact Information details listed below.
Telephone: 0161 770 4502
Fax: 0161 770 3444
E-mail: environmentalhealth@oldham.gov.uk
Address: Pollution Control, Environmental Health, Chadderton Town Hall, Middleton Road, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 6PP