CamWatch has announced the official launch of its ground-breaking new domestic security franchise. This follows a pre-launch feature in the September edition of The Franchise Magazine, which has already created unprecedented interest from would-be franchisees both inside and outside the security industry.

The reality is that traditional bell-based security systems are no longer effective in preventing theft from homes. The high number of false alarms means that neither neighbours nor the police force are prepared to treat them seriously. By contrast, Sheffield-based CamWatch offers a sophisticated system using remote CCTV monitoring to visually confirm the presence of the intruder before taking appropriate action. Trained staff at the Central Monitoring Station can then give an immediate verbal warning, before calling the key holder or alerting the local police. If necessary, the high quality digital recording can even help secure a conviction in court.

CamWatch was launched by Phil Bunting and two colleagues in 1998 but to date has concentrated on the highly demanding commercial and industrial sectors rather than private houses. As a result, the company is now the unchallenged leader in its field and has an impressive portfolio of clients including Pizza Hut, Biffa Waste, Reg Vardy, Sheffield City Council, KLM and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

The CamWatch franchise can be operated from home so start-up costs are low, and the franchise package is priced at only £24,900 plus VAT. This includes the licence, operating manual, full initial training, a laptop computer with bespoke software, a kit of test equipment and components, high quality marketing materials, business stationery and the initial lease payment on a fully liveried vehicle.

Technical Manager Terry Maw, who is heading up the new franchise operation, comments: "At the moment, we define potential customers as those with property valued from £300,000 upwards - and there are plenty of those about these days! We are now also developing a lower cost system to appeal to people with smaller homes."

CamWatch is looking for franchisees with a certain amount of practical aptitude. "The people we need are likely to have worked as a technician or installer in another service-related business - and indeed, we are getting many enquiries from those who are already employed in the security business," says Terry.

"Equally important is sales ability, but what franchisees really must have is genuine enthusiasm for the franchise and the determination to build a successful business."