PlanesPete wrote on Dec 5^th, 2012 at 5:01pm:

Pondgirl, a smart alarm does work, but only if you co-operate with neighbours who will respond when it goes off. I respond to several neighbours holiday homes. On my advice they have sensors outside the property to catch anyone sniffing about. I get a call about once a month but by the time I get there (2-5 mins) the siren, or me approaching has scared them off. Gyronut, if you get to know your Spanish neighbours, even if they just come out to tend the land, and get to know the Policia Local then your treatment and opinion will change. The Spanish are certainly no worse than the English in the UK when a 'foreign' family moves into their street. If the newcomers try hard to integrate then they are accepted.

The problem for our friends is that it is a holiday home in the campo with no near neighbours.  Even if were were able to respond to an alarm immediately from our home it would be at least 10 minutes before we could get there.  Do smart alarms run off of batteries because their electrical supply is from a generator.  At least it would be if it hadn't been stolen.