| Jan 17 2004 A specially designed technology is making Aston's streets and housing safer, according to safety officers in Birmingham, who are working with BT on a key crime-fighting initiative. A new project will see 500 homes in Aston get state of the art wireless burglar alarm systems. The innovative system, BT Safehome, uses GSM (wireless) technology to connect movement and door sensors and personal panic buttons, installed in people's homes, to a continuously manned contact centre. When any sensor or panic button is triggered, the contact centre team identifies what the emergency is, and notifies the relevant emergency services, or takes other appropriate action, such as contacting a neighbour or warden. A PowerCode* wireless control panel lies at the centre of the home installation. The console houses a sophisticated 30-zone security system which is easy to programme and use. It receives signals from window, door and pet-immune movement sensors and remote key fobs via 869MHz radio and communicates with the BT contact centre via GSM radio. BT Safehome provides a Class 6 monitored alarm service, including equipment supply, in-home installation, monitoring and alarm handling, and two inspections each year to test equipment and make any necessary repairs. If alarms are triggered and require a police response, the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) Intruder Alarm Policy will be followed. The BT Safehome solution is designed to provide an immediate "Level 1" response. BT Safehome units and sensors are being installed in Aston's housing by SSAIB-approved engineers. Because the system uses wireless technology, the procedure takes as little as 40 minutes, causes minimal disruption and does not require homes to have a telephone line. At the same time as they install the security system, the engineers will also fit smoke alarms and give residents anti-burglary advice packs. Installing these advanced burglar alarms is the latest development in the Aston Pride project, the £54 million programme charged with regenerating Aston under the government's New Deal for Communities initiative. The programme prioritises tackling crime and fear of crime, and a new community safety team has developed the £500,000 Home Security Project as part of its programme of activities. "Simon Topman, chairman of Aston Pride, said: "Reducing crime and the fear of crime is a priority for Aston Pride. We want to make Aston a safer place to live and work, and this simple-to-use scheme is a bold step with the potential to show big dividends for everyone. The reduced levels of burglary that will follow this innovation will benefit the whole community." Danny McLaughlin, managing director, BT Major Business said: "BT Safehome was specifically developed to provide a low cost security system to help meet crime reduction targets. It's an ideal use of wireless technology which offers 24/7 security without disrupting people's homes or lives. Our initial trials have proved very successful, particularly in providing peace of mind to residents and we expect to install units in many more locations in the coming year.
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