--- title: "NPCC Police Requirements (2026) explained in plain English | SPS Technical" url: https://sps-technical.com/resources/standards/npcc-security-systems-policy description: "The NPCC Police Requirements for Security Systems set the rules for getting a police response to a monitored intruder alarm or detector-activated CCTV system…" lang: en-GB --- NPCC Police Requirements (2026) Current edition Intruder alarms # NPCC Police Requirements for Security Systems (2026), explained Reviewed by the SPS Technical team · Last checked 12 October 2026 ## Quick answer The NPCC Police Requirements for Security Systems set the rules for getting a police response to a monitored intruder alarm or detector-activated CCTV system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The system must be installed and maintained by a certified company to the relevant standards, and it is given a unique reference number (URN). Police response is withdrawn after three false alarms in a rolling 12 months. ## What it means for you - Use a certified installer and an approved alarm receiving centre if you want police response. - Make sure your system is designed to give confirmed alarms, not single-detector activations. - Keep keyholder details up to date, as keyholders must attend when called. - Manage false alarms closely: three in 12 months and police response is withdrawn until the cause is fixed. ## Who it applies to Any business or home with a monitored intruder alarm or remotely monitored CCTV that relies on police response. ## Common questions What is a URN? A unique reference number issued by the police for a compliant monitored system. Without one, the alarm receiving centre cannot request a police response. How many false alarms before police response is withdrawn? Three false alarms in a rolling 12-month period. Response can be restored once the cause has been fixed and the system has gone a set period without further false alarms. Does a bells-only alarm get police response? Not as a matter of course. Police respond to bells-only alarms only where there is other evidence that an offence is in progress. ## Official sources - Police Security Systems: NPCC policy: https://www.policesecuritysystems.com/national-police-chiefs-council-security-systems-policy This page is a plain-English summary, not a copy of the official document. ## Page updates - 12 October 2026: Updated to the current Police Requirements for Security Systems published by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives. 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