Increased demand for home security systems as crime rates rise

With the increase in home break-ins, robberies and hi-jackings, home security companies are experiencing an increased demand for their services.

While more and more private security company cars are frequenting residential areas in recent months, private security companies say they are now experiencing a demand for more advanced security equipment than just barbed wire or alarm systems.

Mi7 National Group Director Colin David told Capital Newspapers they are experiencing more and more people requesting their security services and Mi7's armed response for their homes and businesses.

David said Mi7's armed response unit, which has been going for just a year and a half, has already amassed “thousands of PMB residents and business owners.”

“Residents and business owners are actively seeking to install early detection measures to deter and prevent criminals entering their premises, the Mi7 hyperstore has seen an increase in sales of exterior security surveillance systems such as CCTV surveillance and beams,” David said.

AET Security has also noticed “an increase of opportunistic and planned criminal activities ranging from house-breakings, hijackings as well as muggings in various community clusters across PMB.”

Added to that, the company said last year's July unrest, as well as load shedding, has contributed to the residents feeling less secure in their environments.

AET Security's sales manager, Charné Emmanuel, said they have also witnessed an increase in demand for advanced security equipment, with their most requested items of late being outdoor beams and shock detectors (sensors which detect shockwaves created by windows or doors breaking).