Police warn about cold callers selling burglar alarms in Brighton and Hove

Police and trading standards officers are warning people about cold callers offering cheap burglar alarms.

Sussex Police said: “During January police have received reports from concerned local residents about phone cold callers offering alarm or security services.

“The callers offer the free installation of an alarm box, often claiming that the resident has been selected at random for a free box normally costing thousands of pounds.”

Sergeant Chris Lane said: “They sometimes claim some kind of affiliation to the police and that they are working with police as a result of issues with police response times.

“The ‘sales staff’ callers are generally quite pushy and will state that they have a member of staff in the area who will attend shortly and fit the box.

“Once the ‘free’ box is fitted, residents may then find themselves paying high monthly rates for remote monitoring of the equipment.

“These callers have no affiliation to the police and our advice is to refuse the services of any cold callers via the telephone or in person.

“We have received no reports of anyone actually paying any money yet but any such approaches should be reported.”

Sergeant Lane said that people could phone Sussex Police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or contact trading standards.