What is the difference between keyholder response and police response?

Keyholder response means a security company or a nominated person attends the property with keys, for any activation, under a commercial contract you pay for. Police response means the police attend, only for confirmed activations at a property with a valid URN, and only under conditions the force controls.

They cover different failure modes. Police response is for the case where there is good reason to believe a crime is in progress. Keyholder response is for everything else — the majority of activations, which are unconfirmed or false and which the police will not attend.

Availability differs too. You can buy keyholder response for any property, immediately, with no standards test. Police response requires an approved installer, a certificated ARC, a compliant system and a URN the force can withdraw.

Cost differs in shape. Police response adds relatively modest police fees and the cost of meeting the standard. Keyholding is an ongoing service with staff and vehicles behind it, so it costs more per month, and more again for a rural address a long drive from the nearest patrol.

For most homes, monitoring with nominated personal keyholders — a neighbour or family member — plus police response where it qualifies, is the common arrangement. Paid keyholding is more typical on commercial sites and on high-value or isolated homes.