The short answer
Alarm monitoring in the UK typically costs £15–£45 per month, with the wider market spanning roughly £8 to £60 per month depending on the level of service. Lighter self-monitoring or app-alert plans sit at the lower end; full third-party keyholder and police-response contracts through a certified Alarm Receiving Centre sit at the upper end, commonly around £25–£40 per month. The subscription pays for a 24/7 ARC that handles activations and can call you, a nominated keyholder or, where the system qualifies, request police attendance. Police response requires a URN, which needs a system of the right grade fitted by an NSI or SSAIB-approved installer with professional monitoring — which is why police-response contracts cost more than basic monitoring.
Monitoring is the recurring cost on top of the install, and the price reflects the level of response. Here is what the tiers typically cost and what each one buys.
Typical monthly costs
- Whole market~£8–£60 / month
- Common range~£15–£45 / month
- Police-response tier~£25–£40 / month
- Needs for police responseURN + grade + certified install
- Billingmonthly or annual contract
What you pay for at each level
- Self / app monitoring (lower end): the system alerts you or your phone; you decide what to do. Lowest-priced tier, but no third-party response.
- Keyholder response (mid): a 24/7 ARC contacts you or a nominated keyholder when the alarm activates.
- Police response (upper end): a certified ARC can request police attendance, but only for a qualifying, URN-registered system — typically around £25–£40 per month.
- Maintenance: some subscriptions bundle servicing visits; others charge for them separately, so check what is included.
| Level | Typical cost | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| Self / app alerts | Lower end (~£8+) | you respond yourself |
| Keyholder response | ~£15–£30 / month | ARC calls you or a keyholder |
| Police response | ~£25–£40 / month | police attendance (URN required) |
| With maintenance | Upper end | servicing visits included |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: Midland Alarm and CrimeRate cost guides.
Why police response costs more
Police attendance is not available on every contract. It requires a unique reference number (URN) issued under the police security-systems policy, and to qualify the alarm must usually be of the right grade (commonly Grade 2), fitted by an NSI or SSAIB-approved installer, and monitored by a certified Alarm Receiving Centre. That certification, ongoing monitoring and the URN administration are why police-response subscriptions sit at the upper end of the range — typically around £25–£40 per month — rather than at basic-monitoring prices.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does alarm monitoring cost in the UK?
Typically £15–£45 per month, with the wider market spanning roughly £8 to £60 depending on the service. Self-monitoring or app alerts sit at the lower end, while keyholder and police-response contracts through a certified centre sit at the upper end.
What does a monitoring subscription include?
It pays for a 24/7 Alarm Receiving Centre that handles activations and can call you, a nominated keyholder or, for a qualifying system, request police response. Some plans also bundle maintenance visits — check what is included.
What do I need for police response?
Police attendance requires a unique reference number (URN), which needs a system of the right grade fitted by an NSI or SSAIB-approved installer with professional monitoring. This is why police-response contracts cost more, typically around £25–£40 per month.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific property and system. They are guidance, not a quotation.