Companies supplying home security systems, including alarms and state-of-the-art electronic and mobile phone-activated locks, have witnessed a spike in sales and enquiries.
Following the spate of burglaries in Sliema and the media coverage, interest in such systems has shot up. Although the bulk of clients hailed from Sliema and the surrounding areas, enquiries came from across the island.
Alberta’s sales manager, Adrian Cutajar, said his company had an increase in sales of more than 50 per cent over the past two months.
“We’ve been seeing a gradual increase in sales over the past three or four years, probably due to more awareness. However, over the last month or two we’ve seen an exceptional increase of more than 50 per cent,” Mr Cutajar said when contacted.
This spate of robberies helped raise more awareness and made people realise they could be next
“We have people calling or coming here visibly stressed and desperate to boost security at their house. They are so scared it could happen to them they almost expect to take the system home with them then and there or have it installed that same day,” he said.
Although the new clients come from all age brackets, most of them are elderly people who, Mr Cutajar said, were the most vulnerable age group.
An intruder alarm can be installed in an average apartment for between €300 and €700 with the bill rising to €1,000 in the case of bigger houses.
Intruder alarms automatically alert the police and can now also be controlled via an app on one’s smartphone.
The increase in sales and requests for estimates did not only involve intruder alarm systems but also high-security electronic locks, which, Mr Cutajar noted, were state-of-the-art and also virtually “fool-proof”.
“We always suggest that people should start with a good security system, wireless or wired, and then proceed to upgrade their locks. We’ve heard a lot about a gang with bump keys – specially-crafted keys that open different kinds of door locks without leaving signs of break-in.
“Our electronic locks can be bought for between €100 and €200, eliminating keys and giving you much more peace of mind,” he said.
He said there were many products to choose from including those activated by secure codes, cards, security tags, finger readers or even a proximity tag for a keyless entry.
Pincott Security Ltd also saw its sales and enquiries double, forcing it to cancel Santa Marija vacation leave for its employees to meet the demand.
Managing director Anthony Tonna, who has been in the trade for 42 years, said he could not recall such a spike in sales. He pinned this down to more awareness and the change in the old mentality that a good security system was the last thing people wanted to spend money on.
“Ninety per cent of my clients come to me after they would have been robbed. I’m seeing the trend changing slightly but this spate of robberies helped raise more awareness and made people realise they could be next,” he said.
Kartal Turkbogan, managing director of Elock Malta, also reported a sudden increase in sales of high-security locks costing in the region of €400 which can be operated via a mobile phone.
“If someone is in Gozo and his wife, husband or children went home and forgot their code, a simple SMS to the person’s mobile could unlock the front door. You could even give the house helper a specific code, which can only be used on specified days at specific times,” he said.
Beyond the convenience of the locks, their attraction as a precaution against the bumper key gang is that no key is needed. You simply punch in a computer-generated code.
mxuereb@timesofmalta.com