Home security requirements

[Stalker Ned]

Evening all,
When processing my application for a coterminous renewal earlier this year one of my local Firearm Enquiry Officers strongly advised me to fit a camera doorbell as a means to improving the household security. I asked if this was mandatory and was told that while it was not, that I had been advised of this suggestion had been noted on my file. Within the last few weeks I submitted an application for a one-for-one variation (dispose of a 6.5x55 and add a 6.5PRC). Today I received a call from one of the FEOs to go through the details of my application. At this point I was informed that the home security guidance to certificate holders had been reviewed. A camera doorbell, it had been decided, was no longer adequate. Instead, I was strongly advised to fit a home alarm and as a bare minimum I should fit an internal camera that records to the cloud. I was told again that this advice had been noted on my file.

Has anyone else had a similar experience and, if so, what have you done in response?

I live in Cambridgeshire and fall under Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire firearms department at Huntingdon.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Nope

Tell them you've decided not to fit one and to just go ahead with the issue under current home office guidelines.

 

[shakey jake]

Evening all,
When processing my application for a coterminous renewal earlier this year one of my local Firearm Enquiry Officers strongly advised me to fit a camera doorbell as a means to improving the household security. I asked if this was mandatory and was told that while it was not, that I had been advised of this suggestion had been noted on my file. Within the last few weeks I submitted an application for a one-for-one variation (dispose of a 6.5x55 and add a 6.5PRC). Today I received a call from one of the FEOs to go through the details of my application. At this point I was informed that the home security guidance to certificate holders had been reviewed. A camera doorbell, it had been decided, was no longer adequate. Instead, I was strongly advised to fit a home alarm and as a bare minimum I should fit an internal camera that records to the cloud. I was told again that this advice had been noted on my file.

Has anyone else had a similar experience and, if so, what have you done in response?

I live in Cambridgeshire and fall under Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire firearms department at Huntingdon.

Thanks in advance.

i had the same aort of daft conversation with possibly the same guy in the office. he wanted me to consider an alarm before i could get a 1 for 1 on my 22lr. why they want an unmonitored alarm over the three cameras that let me know of any movement is beyond me. to be fair to the guy he knew more than his college that compared the 7mm rem mag to 243win as only a mm different?
i will argue in a few years if they want an alarm but if they dig their heels in short of sense from above i guess you and me are stuck

 

[Apthorpe]

Ask them to send you in writing on headed paper the full details of what they want you to do that is not specified in the statutory guidance, to what standards and why those requirments are deemed necessary and proportional. Then either send it to your shooting organisation or PCC, or comply with whatever parts you think are sensible.
if you live on a crime-ridden sink estate, then the police "requirements" may be appropriate, if you live anywhere with below average crime rates, obviously it would be inappropriate. The police are, after all, free to patrol and deter crime anywhere where it concerns them.

 

[andyk]

How many firearms do you have (you might not want to answer that on an open forum, so it’s partly a question for you privately)?

I’m pretty sure the HO guidance does talk about tiers of security and that a large number of firearms can require a higher tier of security. The number isn’t fixed, but I recall the suggestion is that less than 6 won’t normally be a high number and more than 10 almost always will be.

If you’ve got a small armoury then they can probably justify it on those grounds. If not, then they should be able to refer to some other reason why enhanced security is justified.

I don’t think there’s a blanket answer, they have some discretion but the HO guidance seems fairly clear that enhanced security should be based on a risk assessment, i.e. not just a policy to require cameras or alarms.

 

[Andyquadra]

Evening all,
When processing my application for a coterminous renewal earlier this year one of my local Firearm Enquiry Officers strongly advised me to fit a camera doorbell as a means to improving the household security. I asked if this was mandatory and was told that while it was not, that I had been advised of this suggestion had been noted on my file. Within the last few weeks I submitted an application for a one-for-one variation (dispose of a 6.5x55 and add a 6.5PRC). Today I received a call from one of the FEOs to go through the details of my application. At this point I was informed that the home security guidance to certificate holders had been reviewed. A camera doorbell, it had been decided, was no longer adequate. Instead, I was strongly advised to fit a home alarm and as a bare minimum I should fit an internal camera that records to the cloud. I was told again that this advice had been noted on my file.

Has anyone else had a similar experience and, if so, what have you done in response?

I live in Cambridgeshire and fall under Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire firearms department at Huntingdon.

Thanks in advance.

Oh joy, my renewal is due in April.
Think I'll start just after Christmas

 

[baguio]

I fitted cameras for my own peace of mind long before I was asked to by the police. I have guns, dogs etc that I work hard to pay for and would like to keep in my possession. Who knows who might have designs on your property? How many different delivery drivers etc go to/passed your property in the course of a year? Cameras cost the fraction of the cost of a decent scope these days? Just imagine the conversation if some tea leaf did break into your house and steal your firearms! It would certainly be an awkward conversation.
Sometimes, people should be glad of the advice guidance given. It might also reduce your Home Insurance premium and save you money in the long run?

 

[Pellet Pinger]

As above, it doesn’t cost the earth to have your home covered with a camera set up and why wouldn’t you?
The ability to receive a notification and to look at a live view on your phone the instant someone steps on your property is peace of mind.

 

[shakey jake]

ive got cameras, they alert our phones of movement, the same force are not happy with cameras as they arent an alarm. i agree withthe two above but the combined force is a bit of a joke

 

[Len the dog]

Oh joy, my renewal is due in April.
Think I'll start just after Christmas

Mine are also due in April but I will be dropping my proforma into my GP this Friday to get the ball rolling.
You have six months validity on the GP-proforma from when the doctor signs it so may as well do it sooner in case of unforeseen delays.

 

[long_range_rob]

Thanks for the advice, I will take it under advisement.

 

[Whalberg86]

Understandable if you live in a crime hotspot, but I can think of nothing more annoying that getting a notification every time the posty drops the mail.

As above, it doesn’t cost the earth to have your home covered with a camera set up and why wouldn’t you?
The ability to receive a notification and to look at a live view on your phone the instant someone steps on your property is peace of

 

[MAH]

what have you done in response?

Simlar conversation in Cheshire. Alarm and camaras already fitted.

I see it a bit like when the Fire brigade encouraged people to fit fire alarms.

They professionals and know what happens when things go wrong.

 

[25 Sharps]

Evening all,
When processing my application for a coterminous renewal earlier this year one of my local Firearm Enquiry Officers strongly advised me to fit a camera doorbell as a means to improving the household security. I asked if this was mandatory and was told that while it was not, that I had been advised of this suggestion had been noted on my file. Within the last few weeks I submitted an application for a one-for-one variation (dispose of a 6.5x55 and add a 6.5PRC). Today I received a call from one of the FEOs to go through the details of my application. At this point I was informed that the home security guidance to certificate holders had been reviewed. A camera doorbell, it had been decided, was no longer adequate. Instead, I was strongly advised to fit a home alarm and as a bare minimum I should fit an internal camera that records to the cloud. I was told again that this advice had been noted on my file.

Has anyone else had a similar experience and, if so, what have you done in response?

I live in Cambridgeshire and fall under Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire firearms department at Huntingdon.

Thanks in advance.

It depends on the number of guns you hold, greater than ten they will ask for additional security over and above. Have a read of the current firearms security guidance. That said a monitored alarm is normally asked for rather than CCTV but a ring doorbell that gives you notifications is effectively the same thing

 

[25 Sharps]

Nope

Tell them you've decided not to fit one and to just go ahead with the issue under current home office guidelines.

But one could be required under the home office security guidelines depending on the circumstances.

 

[gixer1]

Have any properties in the area been robbed recently? A camera doorbell costs £25, a monitored system can be hundreds. I’d fit a camera doorbell regardless, it’s a good way to see who’s coming and going. I now have 4 watching different areas of my property and they are well worth the money….I can also chat with the postie via my phone and ask if they will leave parcels in safe places for me….

Regards,
Gixer

 

[gixer1]

The below is the alarm system I went for, it’s mains with battery back up, it includes PIR’s door and window sensors and has 3 fobs and also fingerprint recognitions. The siren is ridiculously loud and wired into the soffit so it can’t be ripped off. It is also activated by an app on your phone and notifies you if the alarm is set off or a window/door/pir is triggered.

Also the doorbell cameras - theses again, are worked from a phone app and you can review video real-time and it also records to the cloud.

 

[disco_ike]

My renewal this year I had crept over the magic number due to holding some for other people.

I got a simple Yale alarm system from curry’s. Door sensors, one pir and the hub and siren. Set up in minutes and leave of mind. Getting additional door sensors for the other doors to add in

 

[deerstalker.308]

“my local Firearm Enquiry Officers strongly advised me”

You’ve said it here Ned……. T’was advice….. would hazard it’s not enforceable, if it was, they would insist, not simply advise?

 

[Ratel]

ive got cameras, they alert our phones of movement, the same force are not happy with cameras as they arent an alarm. i agree withthe two above but the combined force is a bit of a joke

Be great if they responded to house alarms, wouldn't it?