Edinburgh company offers ex-thieves £40,000 a year to test home burglar alarms

Good job: Ex-burglars being offered £40,000 a year to test alarm systems

Boundary Technologies is launching its first self service system next month, and is looking to hire someone with experience of home thefts to consult alongside their already extensive product testing team.

The chosen candidate would use their background knowledge to help perfect home security products and could look forward to £40,000 per year on a pro rata basis, that works out at roughly £22 per hour, or £154 per day.

Following the October launch of the initial system, Boundary Technologies will become the first and only smart alarm in the UK accurate enough to provide an automatic police response to a property, and provide the ultimate peace of mind for homeowners, regardless of where they might be in the world.

Boundary says that their new system will contain sophisticated sensors designed to detect intruders as well as outsmart criminals.

But to guarantee accuracy they have to incorporate a previously convicted and now reformed burglar to assist in product testing and consultations.

Commenting on the job vacancy, Robin Knox, co-founder and CEO of Boundary, said: “Our system is designed to outsmart a burglar all by itself, so we thought who better to test the product than a reformed burglar, who has turned their life around and can offer us unmatched advice and expert knowledge when it comes to the tricks and tactics used by criminals when attempting to break in and steal from a property.

“As well as helping to improve our product, we are also passionate about giving a helping hand for someone looking to get back on their feet, particularly in the current climate, where work is harder to come by.”

While helping to ensure the systems are fully criminal-proof, this new initiative is also aimed at helping those looking to turn their life around and create something positive out of their previous misdeeds.

The successful candidate will have been previously convicted of a burglary, and no longer serving their sentence.

As part of the role, the candidate will be hired on a consultancy basis, and will assist with product testing of the security system.

Initially, the candidate will be expected to complete a minimum of two days of work per month.

Christopher Stacey, co-director of Unlock, a national advocacy charity for people with criminal records, said: “People with criminal records are often assumed to be untrustworthy – yet here’s a job where the ability to spot the flaws in a system are essential.

“Whether it’s advising on burglar alarms or providing customer service, excluding people because of their past convictions means missing out on skilled candidates and we encourage businesses of all shapes and sizes to look beyond someone’s past and look at the potential they can bring to the organisation.”

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