In just 2 years since launching in April 2021 ECHO has become the pathway for Intruder and Hold-up alarm activation signalling with 10 ECHO-connected police forces and over 300,000 police approved alarm systems protecting sites and premises in those areas.
Since Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police announced their readiness to accept verified alarm activations via ECHO and the ECHO-connected service launched, ECHO has grown in stature establishing itself as a cornerstone in the police’s armoury against crime. On the heels of Essex Police and the Met Police, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, City of London Police and Northumbria Police became ECHO-connected in 2022, followed during 2023 by Bedfordshire Police, Kent Police, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and most recently Greater Manchester Police.
According to police estimates, ECHO delivers time savings of up to four minutes in response times to 'confirmed' alarm activations received from any of the 35 ARCs (Alarm Receiving Centres) utilising the service. The ECHO service automatically transfers alarm activation signals from Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) to ECHO-connected police control rooms, replacing legacy manual voice calling procedures, and accelerates ‘stand-down’ signals where an alarm is discovered as false prior to police arrival at the scene.
Ciaron Irvine Deputy Chief Constable, Durham Constabulary and NPCC Lead for the Security Systems Group commented: “The progress made by ECHO and the 10 forces now ECHO-connected has made tremendous inroads in police control room efficiencies and police responders impact at the scene of intruder and hold up incidents, and I encourage all forces to get ECHO-connected at the earliest opportunity”.
Over a million active residential and commercial users of professionally installed Intruder and Hold-up alarm systems (those installed by an NSI or SSAIB approved installer) are set to benefit as more police forces across the UK get ECHO-connected during 2023/24.
Richard Jenkins, ECHO Director, commented: "As ECHO's pioneering service continues to increase its reach and deliver efficiencies across more regions of the UK, in support of the National Police Chiefs' Council's requirements, ECHO technology is now a proven facilitator of greater efficiency in the deployment of police resources, faster police response and crime deterrence.
"The expanded service now supports Intruder and Hold-up police response alarm systems in residential, commercial and public sector buildings with ten ECHO-connected police forces currently offering homeowners, commercial and publicly operated premises a greater degree of assurance with speedier and more effective police response."
Approved installers are encouraged to check with their ARC providers regarding ECHO support for their customers' Intruder and Hold-up alarm systems.
