FOR YEARS we prided themselves on living in a country where it was safe to leave our houses with doors and windows unlocked.
For those a little more paranoid, a good door lock and a large family dog were more than adequate protection against pesky burglars
Not any longer. With home burglaries standing at around 3,000 per year, more and more people are looking for ways to make their homes more secure.
Security systems are becoming increasingly complex and nowadays home owners are installing high-tech, sophisticated home-security systems consisting of full-perimeter sensors, motion detectors and alarm systems that connect to central station facilities, like the police or fire department.
A large percentage of those who purchase home-security systems have recently been the victims of burglary, according to Andy Lawson founder of Ninja Systems.
“We first started investigating the market in Cyprus around 18 months ago,” said Lawson, “and soon realised that there was a growing demand for home-security.”
While at first customers tended to be expats, Lawson said that an increasing number of Cypriot home owners now feel the need for a home-security system.
“Expats who move to Cyprus are used to having some form of home-security from back home, so it’s natural for them to also want it here,” he said. “Around 30 per cent of our Cypriot customers are people who have already suffered a break-in, so we always make a point of congratulating those customers who have the insight to get security before a burglary occurs.”
Home security systems are not just being installed by the wealthy owners of large properties. An increasing number of flat owners and tenants are purchasing home security systems too.
Previously people who rented property would have been unwilling to invest in expensive security systems, but nowadays they can do so because of the increasingly popular wireless systems which can be easily removed and reinstalled in a new home.
Lawson added that while most of their security systems are installed in private homes, about 20 per cent of the market comes from business and office premises.
Renos Christodoulou is a home owner who has recently had an alarm system installed after an attempted break in.
“When someone tried to break in at our house last year, I began to look into alarm systems for the house,” said Chistodoulou. “Knowing that your house is vulnerable to crime does make you worry; especially when you go away on holiday or just out for the night.”
He added that he would recommend some form of security it to everyone as it does deter burglars and certainly offers you peace of mind.
Lawson said that as well as installing security systems, residents can take a number of simple measures to deter criminals. “Anything you can do to make your house less inviting to a burglar will add to the security of your home.”
He added that security signs warning of a dog on the grounds or dummy alarm systems would more than often put off an intruder and make him look for another house which seems more inviting. Another effective measure that can be taken is installing garden lights that operate on a timer. This can create the illusion that a home is occupied even if the owners are away on holiday.
While it is reassuring to know that our homes and business can be safeguarded by the latest technology in home security equipment, it is perhaps a sad reflection on our changing society that so many of us in Cyprus feel the need for such protection, a situation that would have been unthinkable even a few years ago.
Surveillance and privacy
In addition to the standard security systems that many home owners are beginning to install in Cyprus, there has also been a surge in the use of surveillance cameras and related monitoring equipment.
Following the scandalous story last year when employees of the Commission for the Protection of Competition accused their Chairman of oppressive surveillance and misconduct, the presence of surveillance cameras in businesses and private residences has sparked some controversy.
Accounts of improper use of surveillance cameras are often reported with neighbours spying on neighbours and companies checking up on their employees’ activities, in breech of privacy and protection law.
Rumours have even been flying around in Cyprus of vigilante residents using surveillance cameras to spy on suspected cat poisoners in their neighbourhoods!
While crime control may be the main motivation for installing a surveillance camera the law on the subject is in place to protect individuals’ rights to privacy.
The Cyprus Data Protection Commission regulates that video surveillance in all cases must be notified to the public though clear signs or notices.
In the case of domiciliary use of surveillance equipment the viewing range of cameras must be restricted to the property of the owner.
Above all, the need for surveillance equipment must be justified by the controller and its use must be must not intrude on an individuals’ right to privacy.
