Is fitting an intruder alarm in Kent really just a waste of time? A recent crime research report from Kent Police concluded that 'areas in Kent are still suffering from the effects of burglary. This is a distressing crime which can make victims feel vulnerable and insecure in their own homes.'

There are a few all too familiar reasons for not fitting a home intruder alarm that come up when talking about installing security in the home. People often quote the speed of burglars getting in and out and the time it takes the police to turn up if, unfortunately, they do at all these days.

These are fair points. But if a burglar looks at a house with a burglar alarm and a house next door with no alarm - which do you think they'll try and break into?

Most people ignore alarms if they hear them but, a burglar isn't likely to take a gamble if there are easier pickings, so they do act as a deterrent.

The older style intruder alarm systems were not easy to install, expensive and could be quite easily located and deactivated. The best home security alarms today can be wire-free, normally requiring only the system control panel to be plugged in and hooked up to the telephone to allow telephone numbers to be programmed in be called in case of an emergency.

Wire-free house alarms are harder for a burglar to locate and deactivate. Better still, being protected by an approved, professionally installed alarm could reduce your insurance premium since many insurance companies offer a discount for such properties.

Once in place the system monitors doors and windows and detects motion throughout the house. When a sensor is activated, the device sends signals to its various functions via radio waves. The system can text the homeowner with an alert.

An alarm system will not make up for poor security - make sure you've got good locks on all doors and windows and that nothing portable and expensive is left on display like laptops, ipads, mobile phones etc. However, an intruder alarm is becoming a necessary asset to homes in Kent.