Crime Forces Kiwis To Tighten Home Security

20 December 2004

Climate Of Crime Forces Kiwis To Tighten Home Security

Auckland - Concerning research* conducted by TNS for New Zealand's largest electronic security provider ADT reveals New Zealanders are now turning to alarms to feel safe at home, as well as protect their property when they are away.

According to the 2004 ADT Home Security Survey, 40% of New Zealand households are alarmed and of these, around one in three have increased security measures in the last 18 months. Almost half (47%) of respondents gave the reasons of burglaries, neighbourhood incidents and more reports of crime in the news for tightening security. Furthermore, two thirds of people with security systems now set their alarm at night for reassurance when they are home alone.

Ken Pascoe General Manager ADT Security New Zealand, says that home security is a major concern for New Zealanders and is driving people towards using alarms for personal safety as well as for traditional uses such as burglary prevention.

"The days when locking doors and windows gave you a sense of security are gone - there were 60,630** home burglaries in New Zealand for the year ended June 2004 and a number of high profile home invasion cases.

"The security industry is witnessing a growing number of kiwis taking serious action to feel safe at home, such as installing monitored alarms, fitting security gates, and even operating CCTV cameras."

ADT/Amourguard's research shows around half of alarmed homes (51%) are monitored by a security company with the top reasons for this being added security (50%) and peace of mind (37%), followed by the reason that the household had been burgled previously (12%).

Around a third (30%) of households without a security system said that an alarm would make them feel safer because it would alert them to an intruder (36%), provide security when not at home (21%), sound an alert to third parties such as neighbours (20%), and act as a deterrent to burglars (16%). An overwhelming 82% of non-alarmed households said that they would feel safer with a monitored alarm.

ADT alarm operators will promptly report to you if the alarm is activated and can also dispatch a patrol car to attend the property. Armourguard Security Officers can remain on your property to guard it, and if there is a major incident, ADT will report it to the Police and/or Fire Brigade.***

"Even if there is a major emergency and one of our communications centres loses total communications, the designated backup centre will take over and run the operation until the emergency is over. This provides those at home with the ultimate level of security," said Mr Pascoe.

To obtain an ADT monitored alarm quote call 0800 111 238 or visit the ADT website http://www.adtsecurity.co.nz

ENDS

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