Many turn a deaf ear to house alarms

A quarter of New Zealanders would do nothing if a neighbour's security system went off, a survey shows.

A poll of 500 householders by market research company TNS shows 23 per cent would do nothing.

A further 27 per cent would just look out the window to see if anything was happening.

Dennis Bell, of Bell Security, said: "There's so many alarms going off all the time, that's the problem."

His comments were echoed by Dr Maryanne Garry, Victoria University senior lecturer in psychology.

"If it's your alarm, that's different," she said, "but if someone else's goes off, why should people care?"

ADT Security general manager Ken Pascoe said monitored alarms were the only way to counter growing apathy.

The police agreed, saying that with a monitored alarm at least you knew someone would respond. The survey showed 82 per cent of households without alarms would feel safer with a monitored one.

The Herald's own survey of lunchtime shoppers in central Auckland revealed that most would check a neighbour's property if the alarm went off. Helen Chen of Newmarket said she would see if there was a genuine break-in before acting. "If there was, I would call the police."

Ingrid Neilson from Wellington would also check her neighbour's house, but would be less likely to check a stranger's place.

"If it was just a random house I would assume someone else was taking care of it."

All but one person said putting alarms in their property was worthwhile, a result in line with Auckland's status as the most security-conscious city in NZ - 58 per cent of homes have alarms, compared with the national average of 40 per cent.

More than one-third of Aucklanders with household alarm systems have upgraded those in the past 18 months, the TNS survey showed.

About one in 10 Auckland homes without alarm systems have been burgled in the past two years, higher than the national average.

Police recommend installing a home alarm along with security lighting and good locks.

People going away are urged to let a trusted neighbour know and have someone clear the mailbox in order not to advertise that the house is empty.

Most of those the Herald questioned said they would generally ignore a car alarm going off.

North Shore resident Michelle Graham said too many car owners set their alarms too sensitively.

"They go off for no reason, and the sound's really annoying."

YOUR ROLE

Police say if your neighbour's security system goes off you should:Check if there is any sign of a break-in, such as a door open or window smashed.

If there is, back off, watch the house and call 111 - never confront an intruder.

Many alarms are monitored and false alarms will be dealt with by the security company.