Dec 14, 2022 | Countrywide Security
The Ajax alarm is the ultimate burglar alarm system that provides safety and security to all businesses and homes. From installation and repairs to system upgrades, we at Countrywide focus on both commercial and domestic properties looking to advance their current alarm system, by implementing the high-quality Ajax smart alarm.
With both indoor and outdoor wireless security detectors available, the Ajax alarm system can identify potential threats and will raise the alarm instantly. As an authorised SSAIB-certified security company and a 9.9 trusted Checkatrade tradesperson, we guarantee the highest-quality service and experience only found at Countrywide Security. Whether you’re curious about repairs or installation, our qualified engineers can fit any Ajax alarm device available.
We have created this guide to help homeowners find their ideal smart alarm and which device is best suited to their property.
Ajax Main Control Panel
The Ajax main control panel is one of the most efficient system control hubs ever created. The device has a processor that can manage data at speeds of up to four times faster than other smart alarms and runs on OS Malevich – a real-time operating system developed by Ajax Systems. As it is one of the most efficient system control hubs, it has many benefits as well.
With the OS installed, it is extremely durable and protected against cyberattacks and viruses because of the modular architecture. The control panel also has photo sequence detection. This means if the alarm is activated, within 9 seconds, a sequence of photo verification will come through to assess the situation.
Lastly, the Ajax Hub control panel is the perfect solution for implementing stronger security within your environment while also providing convenience. It features an array of impressive functions, like activating smoke detectors in case of intrusion or cutting power supply if there’s a fire or water leak – ensuring that you have top-of-the-line protection against any potential threats and disasters.
Ajax Motion Cam
The Ajax motion cam is an impressive motion detector with a photo verification system. The Ajax wireless motion cam provides you with privacy, peace of mind and security. Thanks to its advanced thermal optics lens, the Ajax Motion Cam stands out from other top-ranked motion detectors and ensures unparalleled detection accuracy. With the accuracy of the Fresnel lens, it provides users with the most accurate thermal imaging in a motion detector, filtering out false alarms from pets.
With the camera’s software, body temperature and heat-spot size differences can be precisely calibrated according to movement speed. For added convenience, all these settings are accessible through the Ajax app.
The motion cam provides the user with a series of photos upon motion detection, which will be sent to your phone instantly to capture any evidence. The photo verification system also decreases the number of false alarms and provides you with greater security and visual information on the situation as it unfolds.
Ajax Door Contacts
The Ajax door contact is a wireless detector which notifies you at the first signs of intrusion in the room. The device consists of two modules, a magnet and a detector. Working in perfect unison together to sense when you open your door or window, it can send that information wirelessly through the high-end reed switches, transmitting the signal straight to your control hub.
Installation of the door contacts is a breeze and requires minimal effort once installed by a professional such as Countrywide. On top of this, you won’t have to worry about frequent battery replacements, as they can last up to 7 years.
Ajax Break Glass Detectors
Protect your windows and stay in the loop with the glass protection detectors from Ajax. The detector is installed with a battery that can last up to 7 years. Instantly connect to the control hub with a click with the Ajax advanced glass detectors. Mounting onto a SmartBracket also only takes minutes – effortless and efficient.
The sensor can also detect broken glass through an electret microphone, displaying the sound of impact against the glass and of the glass falling.
Ajax Smart Alarm Installation
To see more products, head over to our main smart alarm page.
At Countrywide, we are enthusiastic about safety and security. We specialise in Ajax smart alarm systems, CCTV Security Systems and supplying residential and commercial security systems across Birmingham and the surrounding areas. For every intruder burglar alarm, access control system, CCTV and fire alarm we install, we provide maintenance and upkeep services where necessary.
We are SSAIB-certified, Checkatrade and Police approved, so you can rest assured that you will receive high-quality installations and systems at a reasonable price from Countrywide.
Contact us on 0121 386 2639 or email us at [email protected] for more information. We are always more than happy to help
Nov 3, 2022 | Countrywide Security
The burglary statistics within the UK have reached a new high, amounting to more than 267,000 burglaries in 2021 alone, averaging a burglary occurrence every 106 seconds, and an average stolen value of £2,856. The figures began to rise since the pandemic, as people began to invest more into their properties and home entertainment, with an average annual increase predicted to be 24%.
This becomes worse during the Christmas period, as people begin to fill their houses with presents, providing burglars with even more incentive. There has been an average 11% spike in burglaries during the last 3 months of the year over the last decade, with 84% of these cases going unsolved. With this in mind, we have created this blog in order to inform you on the best practices for preventing house burglary during Christmas time, so that you may have better peace of mind regarding the security and safety of yourselves and your family.
Best Ways to Protect Your Property over Christmas:
1. Check your doors, windows, and locks
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that doors, windows, and online data are the top three ways burglars gain access to private properties. With this in mind, it’s integral that these entry points are bolstered, and don’t have any weak points. Double-locking doors, replacing the faulty locks on windows, and making sure you don’t hide a spare key in obvious spots are some of the best ways of solving this. Take it a step further, and install a burglar alarm system that connects to both your doors and your windows – that way, even if you’re not home, you have a monitored system that can alert you and the police of any intrusion.
Ajax Alarm systems are some of the most highly revered smart home security systems available on the market right now, with instant mobile notifications, externally operated motion cameras, and systems that can monitor both your electricity and water levels all in one.
2. Don’t advertise gifts on social media
In the modern era, it can be tempting to show friends, family and followers the amazing things that you received over Christmas. However, unassumingly, many burglars are now aware of this, and turn to social media as a means of scouting for potential targets. You posting your property and your new valuable items simply serve as an advertisement for the value that a burglar may have access to, and the routes in which they can take to obtain it. Setting your accounts to private are the best means of preventing exploitation.
3. Install CCTV, motion sensors, or visible deterrents
According to one study, all crimes are reduced by a minimum of 13% in places with CCTV, when compared to places without it. Burglars suggest that CCTV serves as an incredible deterrent, as those with it have more opportunity of identifying the intruder. If nothing else, homeowners can use the footage that they capture using CCTV as evidence when trying to claim the stolen value back on insurance. Finally, CCTVs are beneficial for homeowners, as they provide peace of mind when a homeowner is absent from their property, as most smart home security systems can be operated remotely, with users getting notified if a person is spotted.
4. Review your current home insurance
If you are certain that you will be buying and storing valuable gifts ahead of Christmas, then why risk your things to get stolen? The statistics suggest that the Christmas period is one of the most volatile for instances of burglary.
Countrywide instead suggests practicing proactive preparation, such as opting for insurance. In doing so, you are able to claim all of the damages you may have otherwise lost in the worst-case scenario. The small cost of insurance far outweighs the possible loss of £2,856 or more. Make sure that you check the terms and conditions for what is covered under your insurance though, as some do not claim liability within their terms and conditions.
5. Dispose of Christmas wrapping and packaging
Much like advertising your gifts on social media, opportunists will also take visual cues from both in and around your property. Be careful of Christmas wrapping, as this is one of the most obvious hints at the value in your house. This includes the paper, and any boxes that may be revealing expensive products such as electricals and big TVs. We suggest that it is best to instead break up your packaging, and to put it inside your recycling bin, out of sight. You should also avoid leaving presents in the car, and in plain sight, such as under the tree in your front room.
Home Security Solutions with Countrywide UK
If you are looking to improve the safety and security of your property this Christmas, then Countrywide have you covered. From concept, to installation, to maintenance services, we are the leaders of smart alarm systems and offer premium CCTV installation services for both commercial and residential properties. Countrywide is a family business that always seeks to provide a personalised service, high level of consumer care and high quality products – all at a reasonable price.
Partner with someone you can trust. We are SSAIB, Checkatrade and police approved, providing thousands of successful and reliable security systems. If you would like to learn more about how we can provide you or your family with leading home security solutions, like the revolutionary Ajax wireless alarm system, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. Our team would love to hear from you and would be more than happy to help.
Oct 19, 2022 | Countrywide Security
Crime continues to worsen throughout the UK. In the years 2020 and 2021, there were over 267,000 reported cases of burglary. Events such as the national lockdown and restrictions on social contact improved burglary statistics in the short term. However, since the termination of these events, crime rates have begun to rise once again, increasing week by week – by March 2022, figures had increased by 16%.
The purpose of this blog is to highlight the current state of burglary throughout the West Midlands, exploring both the causes and solutions in residential and commercial contexts, so that you feel safer and better equipped to level up your smart home security systems.
Burglary in the West Midlands:
Burglar alarms Birmingham:
Of all cities across the West Midlands, Birmingham is the most dangerous. It has even claimed the title of the second most dangerous city in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland collectively. The overall crime rate in Birmingham is 137 crimes per every 1000 people. This has increased dramatically from 2016 figures, when there were only 78 reported crimes per 1000 people.
Burglar alarms Sutton Coldfield
Despite hailing the title as ‘’the safest major town in the West Midlands’’, Sutton Coldfield was the worst major town in the West Midlands for robbery, with 16 robbery crimes reported per 1000 inhabitants, and shoplifting rates of 76 crimes per 1000 residents. Although on the surface, this doesn’t seem significant compared to Birmingham figures, the crime rate has continued to increase in Sutton Coldfield – rising from 38 reported crimes per 1000 residents in 2016 to 62 crimes per 1000 residents in 2021, almost doubling in occurrences.
Burglar alarms Dudley
Dudley is the third most dangerous major town in the West Midlands. The overall crime rate in Dudley for 2021 was 131 crimes per 1000 people. This is a steep development, considering the crime rate in Dudley was 73 instances per 1000 people in 2016, once again almost doubling its figures. December 2021 was a particularly bad month for Dudley residents, as 64 crimes were reported per 1000 residents – in one month alone!
Burglar alarms Walsall
Walsall has the reputation of being the second most dangerous town in the West Midlands. The current crime rate in Walsall was 143 crimes per 1000 people in 2021. This highly contrasts with the crime rate of 88 reports per 1000 people in 2016. To put these figures into context, try and imagine that Walsall’s crime rate is currently 38% higher than that of the West Midlands as a whole, and 47% higher than the national crime rate.
Causes of residential robbery:
The main reason for the increasing burglary statistics is that, despite people spending more on their homes and home entertainment facilities since the pandemic, 28 % of UK adults say they don’t take any precautions around the home. Only 14 % of adults in the UK say they’ve installed CCTV cameras, even though 55% sleep with their windows open at night, 24% leave their doors open whilst at home, and 12% have admitted to leaving their garden gates open.
5 Solutions for residential security:
Decorating and improving your home may sound infinitely more fun than setting up proper security measures. That being said, burglars strike every 30 seconds, making your home security a top priority in these trying times. To help you get back to the fun stuff, below are some things you should do right away to better secure your home.
Secure the doors
34% of burglars come in through your front door, which is why this should be one of your first priorities. Make sure that your door frames are strong, the hinges are protected, and – if your door has a letter box, make sure that someone can’t reach through it to unlock your door. If you’ve recently moved house, then change the locks, so that previous owners do not have a set of keys for your house.
Lock your windows
Windows are another common entry point for criminals, and are often left shut but unlocked. Furthermore, manufacturer latches on windows are not always the most effective. Installing aftermarket window locks, reinforcing glass with window security film, window bars, or planting prickly bushes under first-floor windows are all strong means of bolstering your window security.
Don’t forget your garage
The garage is another entry point into your home that is gaining popularity amongst criminals. Even if they can’t access your house, you’ll likely have plenty of valuables hidden in your garage. Make sure to assess the security standards of your garage, ensuring you lock all doors, both interior, and exterior. If you have a more advanced garage, take care not to enter the security code in front of anybody, especially delivery people and neighbors.
Add security cameras
CCTV camera installations serve as both a deterrent and a means of getting justice. Security cameras are a huge deterrent for burglars, as anything they do, down to the way they walk, what they wear, and how they look, can be captured and used as evidence against them. Nowadays, home security systems are more flexible, and can be upgraded to either work on their own or as part of a smart home security system.
Lock down your Wi-Fi
One of the most overlooked security measures of the 21st century is home Wi-Fi. Humans are becoming consistently more involved with technology as time progresses, which is resulting in more and more information being shared over the internet. What many people are unaware of, is that your home wireless network is a doorway to your personal and financial information. If you use home automation, this may even leave you vulnerable to a break-in. Make sure you secure your wireless router, enable Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), install antivirus and anti-malware protection, and create strong passwords to bolster your resistance against this.
Causes of commercial crimes:
Although many people are aware of residential burglaries, many fail to consider the possibility of someone burgling their business. A total of 606,282 crimes were committed against businesses in the UK throughout 2021.
The majority are caused by the business owner failing to pay attention to detail. Many businesses keep large sums of cash in their registers, take deposits to their car, and drive the same route to the bank every day. This is far too predictable, making you an easy victim. Many burglars are aware of when there are fewer employees on shift, meaning fewer witnesses, and decide to strike when you are unlikely to be manning the front of the shop – making it an easy walk-in, walk-out situation. Many employees are not given training and are not even screened properly before they are hired! A lack of preventative measures on your building itself is another major cause, whether it be a lack of exterior lighting, a lack of visibility through windows, or poor door and window locking systems.
5 Solutions for commercial security:
Access Control
No matter the industry your business is in, it is critical for all businesses to keep their access limited. Preventing the general public from accessing exclusive areas or ensuring only office staff can enter the premises are two ways in which you can effectively do this. Technological advancements have allowed businesses to better moderate this, as access control systems can now be operated with cards, fobs, and more, as opposed to the previous lock-and-key method.
Biometrics
Want to take your access control to the next level? Why not upgrade to biometric access control, which offers even higher levels of security and exclusivity? Biometric access controls are much more secure than a physical key, since they ensure that access is limited to a select few. They are highly expensive, so make sure you cover at least the more valuable and restricted areas of your business.
Intruder Alarms
Intruder alarms provide businesses with peace of mind that their commercial property is protected even outside of business hours. Even without being activated, sounding an alarm, or alerting premises owners, intruder alarms are proven deterrents to potential burglars.
Security Lights
Typically, an underestimated aspect of security, lighting can be an integral component of a commercial security system. Well-lit areas are not attractive to intruders, as there is a higher chance that they will be seen or picked up by the CCTV footage. Motion-activated lights may also stop an intruder in their tracks, since they will be startled.
Fire Systems
Despite not traditionally being included as part of a smart security system, fire systems are critical to the safety of a commercial building and its users, as well as ensuring compliance. From an effective fire detecting system and strategically placed alarms to suppression systems and escape routes, there is plenty to consider when it comes to bolstering a fire system for a commercial building. You never know the impact that escape routes, and fire alarms, could have on protecting you against an intruder.
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Improving Your Home Security with Countrywide Security
Despite rising figures in crime and burglary throughout the UK, the majority of residents continue to slack in appropriately securing their properties, whether for commercial or for residential applications. Want to know how such shocking statistics came to be? Why not read our blog on ‘The History of Burglary’?
Countrywide Security has over 20 years of experience. They provide a 24-hour monitoring and fire brigade response, and are SSAIB, check trade and police approved, in addition to being committed to working hard to deliver a personal service and a high level of customer care as a family business – whether you are in the West Midlands or elsewhere in the country.
If you’d like to know more about how we can help you to improve your smart home security systems, or if you have any further questions regarding the information presented throughout this blog, then please do not hesitate to get in touch! Our team would love to hear from you and would be more than happy to help.
