CHECK THE SIM CARD IN YOUR INTRUDER ALARM ON A MONTHLY BASIS

Information provided by the Police - given the number of burglaries on the island generally, it is always useful to check that your intruder alarm is operating correctly.  Advice has been given in the past regarding batteries, but this time the advice is regarding SIM cards.  Police have also added that it is worth carrying out a monthly check on your SIM card to ensure it is functioning correctly and that renewal has not been overlooked.

If your alarm system sends out alarm activations or alerts via GSM SIM card, please take some time to ensure that your SIM card is working correctly. If it is not, then you will not receive a text message should your premises fall victim to burglars.

In the case of a SIM 'pay as you go', this must be topped up with €10 of credit every year. If it does not get topped up, the card will be disconnected - and the first you will know about it will be when you do not get an alert text message in the event of a breakin.

If you have an annual contract SIM card, as long as you, or your alarm company, pays the SIM card bill annually or monthly, the SIM card will never be disconnected and will always work.

There have been instances recently where it was thought that the alarm had not worked correctly. However, it was found that the problem lay with the SIM card.   Despite being on an annual contract with an alarm company, some SIM cards had been deactivated - most likely because of non-payment of monthly accounts either by the homeowner or the alarm company - the system, therefore, was unable to send text messages to alert the homeowner and/or alarm company.

TO CHECK YOUR SIM CARD IS FUNCTIONING:

Set off the alarm. Let it ring for about 30 seconds to give the SIM card chance to send out the text messages to the numbers stored in the system.  If you do not receive a message, then it is likely that the SIM has been deactivated.

You can also call the alarm SIM card number. It will ring if it is working. If it has been deactivated you will get a Cypriot voice message, followed in English, stating the number is not active.

It is recommended that a regular monthly test is carried out so that you ensure your system operates correctly in the event of a breakin or attempt thereat.

MELISOVONOS AREA

Please be aware of a break in at one villa in Melisovonos and a handbag stolen from an adjacent villa whilst the owner was in the property. 

The Police have stressed the importance of being alert , not keeping excessive valuables and cash on your property, and ensuring all locks and security devices are utilised when your property is left.

The break in occurred between the hours of 8pm and 10pm on Wednesday night, 26 July.  If anyone saw anything out of the ordinary that evening, please contact Paphos Police.

MTN UPGRADING OF SIGNAL TOWERS & SIM CARDS IN INTRUDER ALARM SYSTEMS

Just to inform you that today [19 July] and for the next couple of days, MTN are carrying out upgrades to their signal towers. This will result in some loss of signal strength to the SIM cards in your alarm system.

Once the power has been restored you may receive a 'SIM card restore' message. This is nothing to worry about and the alarm will continue to work as normal.

Thanks to Pegeia Neighbourhood Watch for this information.

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY NEAR TO THE FOOTBALL PITCH IN TALA

Spotted in a garden near to the football stadium in Tala, a small Fillipino gentleman in smart/casual clothing, wandering around the garden of an unoccupied property.    As soon as he realised he was being watched, he quickly left.  This was around 8.30pm/9pm last night.


Please be vigilant - if you spot this gentleman, can you please see if he has any transport and get a description of that transport and a registration number.

POOL INSPECTOR VISITS TO PROPERTIES IN STEPHANIE AREA

Reports of a well-dressed Cypriot man, speaking good English, walking onto properties without permission and checking out pool area and pool rooms in the Stephanie area.   Without asking for information, he then proceeded to tell the householder that there were problems in the pump room, the wrong chemicals were being used and that they were being over-charged!

When challenged he said he was a pool inspector.

He then proceeded to enter other properties close to this one.

Pool inspections are carried out on complex/public pools, but not private residences.   This gentleman could, therefore either be trying to drum up business for a pool company or he could be using the opportunity to have a good look around properties in the area re security, etc. 

If you encounter this gentleman, please try and obtain his name and phone number and details including registration number of the vehicle he is in and phone Paphos Police immediately.   Could you then drop me an email and I will then follow it up with the Police.