SECURITY-MINDED Ken Eggleton returned from holiday to be landed with a bill for almost £400 - because his burglar alarm kept going off.

Pensioner Ken had enjoyed a month away, unaware his security system was infuriating neighbours in Clementhorpe, York.

They called in city council workmen, who forced their way into his home and dismantled the alarm.

It had been ringing constantly for six hours.

Engineers who forced open a ground-floor window and silenced Ken's security device later charged him £370 for their work.

Today, the 66-year-old, of Lower Ebor Street, said: "It seems like extortion to me."

But a senior council officer warned householders to register their alarms to make sure the same thing did not happen to them.

Alarm owners could face a fine of up to £5,000 if they do not silence it after a warning has been served.

Legal powers agreed in 1990 allow officers to enter properties and turn off alarms if the owner fails to do so.

In Mr Eggleton's terraced street, neighbours reported that the alarm had been sounding for six hours from 10am onwards.

The total bill for the work included four-and-a-half hours of council officer time at £56.60 an hour and labour at £60 plus VAT.

Mr Eggleton said: "I think it's disgusting. I don't know how long it had been going off because I don't speak to them (the neighbours).

"It's a threat. Other pensioners need to know this could happen before their alarms go off."

He added that the portable alarm itself cost just £60 and he has only used it several times before while on holiday without mishap.

Sean Suckling, principal environmental protection officer, said: "Local residents were understandably distressed by the incessant noise and we were unable to contact a key holder to turn it off.

"Unfortunately we were left with no option other than to arrange for a joiner and alarm company to come out and there is a charge associated with this."

Mr Suckling said: "We would advise anyone with a burglar alarm to let us have contact details for a designated key holder, so we can arrange for their alarm to be turned off if it is triggered while they are away."

A neighbour said: "I think I can remember it happening. Alarms tend to go off now and again on this street and the walls are so thin you can always hear them. It can be very annoying."

York residents can apply for an alarm registration form by telephoning the City of York Council's environmental protection unit on 01904 551591.

Updated: 11:01 Thursday, November 04, 2004