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| Frequently Asked Questions |  back  |
- What is KeyContact+?
- What are the charges?
- What details do I need to register?
- Does registering with KeyContact+ mean that I get special care of my property?
- What happens after I register?
- Why have I received a bill to secure my property while I was not at home?
- How do I join?
- Will being a member of KeyContact affect Police attendance at my alarm?
- I do not have access to the Internet. How can I register or change my details?
- Where can I see the terms and conditions?
- I have more than one property in the area. Can I register them all for £35/£10?
- Can I register multiple properties with the same keyholder?
- What happens if the Police access my details but I do not want to be contact at the moment?
- How can I be certain that my personal details are safe?
- Surely the Police have an obligation to hold keyholder details?
- If I have an alarm fitted to my property, why do I need to join the scheme?
- Do I have to register to this scheme?
- What payment options are available?
- Will I receive an invoice?
- How long does my registration last?
- How can I update my details?
- What is a keyholder?
- How many keyholders can I register?
- What will be the keyholders responsibilities?
KeyContact+ is a scheme, that allows you to register your business, home and community premises on a computerised database, operated by Northamptonshire Police.
The information kept is accessible by Police control room staff, allowing them to contact owners or nominated keyholders when something untoward happens at their registered premises when they are not there. Our service ensures that the premises receive appropriate attention, in the shortest time, and with the minimum of inconvenience, to re-establish security and prevent further risk.
The present annual registration fee for a
- Business or Community premise is £35 (incl of VAT)
- Residential is £10 (incl of VAT)
There is no charge for any amendments to information.
What details do I need to register?
When you register, you should provide the following information:
- Name, address and telephone details of the property you wish to protect
- Name and address of the person who will receive all correspondence and who will be paying for the account. If the person is at another location, then the address of that location should also be provided
- Contact details of the person / people you have nominated for your call out list and Police will call them in the order you determine, if and when you are not available. You should make sure they are willing to be nominated as part of the scheme and know what to do if they get called. They should live within 20 minutes travelling distance.
Does registering with KeyContact+ mean that I get special care of my property?
Being a member of KeyContact+ does not give you any special rights but it does ensure the Police know who owns premises, and whom they can contact in the case of an emergency.
What happens after I register?
Once your registration has been processed, we will write to you with confirmation and your reference number. Please have your reference numbers at hand whenever you require us to make any amendments to your details.
Why have I received a bill to secure my property while I was not at home?
If you are a member of this scheme, KeyContact+ has the advantage of allowing you to nominate your preferred emergency contractor for this work, therefore making sure you control the costs of the work. You would then settle any bill with them direct.
If you are not a member of the scheme, there are no details and your property is unsafe, the Police have an obligation to make your property secure, at your cost, using an emergency repair company who will be called out to do what is required. You will be liable for the costs of this repair.
This is a normal liability and nothing directly to do with this scheme.
Website: The easiest and quickest way is on our website, where you can enter all your details online and choose your preferred payment option
By Post: Complete and sign a KeyContact+ Registration or Residential Registration Form and return it along with your payment to
KeyContact+
Northamptonshire Police Headquarters
Wootton Hall
Northampton
NN4 0JQ
Fax: Send your registration form to 01604 888396
Phone: We can register your details over the phone but unfortunately we are unable to accept payment over the phone.
Will being a member of KeyContact affect Police attendance at my alarm?
There is no connection between the KeyContact+ Service and the Northamptonshire Police Force policy on attendance at alarms or other incidents. Membership does not affect the criteria for police response for attending or not attending premises, nor will it affect the level of policing afforded to any investigation or inquiry that is needed.
The Statutory duty of the Police in this respect remains unchanged.
I do not have access to the Internet. How can I register or change my details?
Our office hours are between 9.30am to 4.30pm Mon-Fri. You can call the office on 03000 111 222 ext 8041 or send us your request by e-mail. After hours you may leave your details on voicemail and a return call or an application form will be sent to you at your request.
Where can I see the terms and conditions?
It is important that you read our Terms and Conditions before you register. You can find these on our website, just click on the Terms and Conditions link here, on the main above menu, or we can provide you with a copy on request.
I have more than one property in the area. Can I register them all for £35/£10?
Unfortunately not, a separate Registration Form is required for each site, but we do have a multiple payment structure scheme, which will allow you to register some properties for free. If you would like more information regarding this scheme please contact us at KeyContact@northants.police.uk or phone 03000 111 222 ext 8041.
Can I register multiple properties with the same keyholders?
Yes you can register multiple properties with the same keyholders. Please remember that you need to register each property separately and registration costs are per property.
What happens if the Police access my details but I do not want to be contacted at the moment?
That depends on what you have entered on the database. The Police can only know what you choose to register, and only current data is available to the Police. So, for example, if you are going on holiday and do not want to be disturbed, update your contact list information, stating the dates you will not be available. Then someone else will be top of your contact list.
You are most welcome to phone or e-mail your holiday dates to us instead of sending it by post if you prefer.
How can I be certain that my personal details are safe?
We take security very seriously. Your details are stored securely and only authorised personnel will have access to them. This website is secure as is indicated by the yellow padlock sign, which is featured on each page. Double click the padlock icon on your browser for more details.
Surely the Police have an obligation to hold keyholder details?
Police do not routinely hold keyholder details. Providing you inform us of the correct information and keep us updated about any changes, we will be able to take prompt action to minimise loss or damage to your property. If you are not registered with KeyContact+, your keyholder details will not be held or maintained by Northamptonshire Police.
If I have an alarm fitted to my property, why do I need to join the scheme?
If your alarm is activated and is connected to a specialist monitoring alarm company, it is your alarm company's Receiving Centre's responsibility to contact your keyholders and inform the Police of the incident. However, problems can also occur on or near your property without affecting your alarm, such as water leakage, external damage to your property or walls, skips on fire and many more. Where incidents come to our attention we will endeavour to contact your alarm-receiving centre, or if necessary the emergency repair service preferred by you.
If your alarm is not connected to a specialist monitoring Alarm Company, it is what the police call an “audible alarm” or a “noisy alarm”, in that it makes a noise to alert someone to encourage them to ring the police. If the alarm is activated and a member of the public rings the police, your details will be available to the control room staff, who will then contact you or your keyholders who can attend and supervise the situation.
Do I have to register to this scheme?
You are not obliged to register your details with KeyContact+, but it is an additional security option, which complements any alarm system set-up.
What payment options are available?
- Cheques and postal orders to be payable to Northamptonshire Police
- Enrol using our direct debit facilities and get three months membership free of charge for the first year
- Bacs payment - Please contact the office where we will be happy to supply the bank details
- Paypal - available online only
We do not normally send an invoice, but one can be sent at your request if you are a business or community premise. Unfortunately, invoices cannot be sent for residential requests.
How long does my registration last?
All registration details are held for one year. We will write to you one month before your registration is due to expire to remind you to check your information and renew your registration. Members who choose to pay by direct debit will receive a notification of renewal, and that their subscription will be automatically renewed. If more time is needed to return either the renewal or payment please feel free to contact the office where the administrators will be happy to assist and can defer the expiry date up to a month.
All amendments are free, and can be requested either by e-mail, fax or by phone.
A keyholder is someone you trust, who lives in close vicinity to your property and will hold the keys and have access to it when you are absent.
How many keyholders can I register?
A maximum of 5 keyholders, minimum of 1 keyholder, can be registered.
What will be the keyholders responsibilities?
If you are named as a keyholder for a property, you will be contacted if the police need to gain access or secure the property when the owner/resident is not available.
The police will inform you that your attendance is required at the property and for this reason it is helpful if you live within 20 minutes of the property. If repairs do need to be carried out, it will normally be your responsibility to organise them e.g. call a glazier, plumber, electrician, locksmith or boarding up company.