2026 marked a significant milestone for Crimewatch Alarms as we celebrated our 40th year in business.

Since our establishment in 1986, we have grown from a trusted security provider into a multi-disciplinary business, delivering a comprehensive range of services including intruder alarms, CCTV, fire alarm systems, access control, door entry systems, electrical installations, solar PV installations, and ongoing maintenance and monitoring for domestic, commercial and public sector clients.

Reaching four decades in business is an achievement that would not have been possible without the dedication of our exceptional team, the loyalty of our clients and the continued support of our suppliers. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has been part of our journey over the past 40 years.

Throughout our anniversary year, we are celebrating this milestone by reflecting on how far we’ve come and the strong relationships we’ve built with our customers and partners. While our services have evolved over the years, our commitment has remained the same: delivering high-quality workmanship, exceptional customer service and innovative solutions that our clients can rely on.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to investing in our people, embracing new technologies and continuing to provide industry-leading security, electrical and renewable energy solutions for many years to come.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to the next chapter.

It was a pleasure to speak at this year’s Housing Cymru Conference in Cardiff.

One of the key messages I shared was that the biggest risk to delivering our housing ambitions wasn’t 12 or 18 months away—it was already here.

The skills crisis was no longer a future challenge; it had become a current reality. Across housing, construction, retrofit and maintenance, organisations were struggling to find the people needed to deliver the homes, services and sustainability commitments our communities depend on.

The conversation needed to move beyond simply recognising the problem and focus on building practical solutions—attracting new talent, developing existing teams and creating a workforce fit for the future.

Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed to the discussions and shared their perspectives. It was a fantastic opportunity to challenge the status quo, exchange ideas and explore what meaningful action looks like with leaders from across the sector.

We’re proud to announce that Crimewatch Alarms has been named Employer of the Year at the inaugural Newport Business Awards.

Winning this prestigious award during our 40th year in business makes the recognition even more meaningful. It reflects our commitment to creating a supportive workplace and recognises the dedication and professionalism of our incredible team—past and present.

A huge thank you to the organisers of the Newport Business Awards and congratulations to all of the finalists and winners.

This award belongs to every member of the Crimewatch Alarms family, and we’re excited to continue building a business our employees and customers can be proud of.

We are currently recruiting for a Fire & Security Engineer to join our every expanding team to support the ongoing growth of our company.

• Full Time, Permanent Position
• Based in Newport/Cardiff Area
• £34,000 – £46,000 per annum based on basic + standby + callout (depending on experience & qualifications)

This is an interesting role with lots of variety within an SME, family-run business based in Newport working in the Newport/Cardiff area. Crimewatch Alarms Ltd & C W Electrical have been successfully operating in the Fire, Security and Electrical industry for nearly 40 years. We are industry leaders with a reputation for quality and the highest standards in all that we do.

Successful candidates will be responsible for installation, service, and maintenance of various fire & security systems. These include both wired and wireless systems, emergency lighting, AOV, warden call, refuge systems, intruder detection and CCTV.

If you think you suit the job description, please get in touch.

Job Summary:

• Full-time, permanent position
• Salary in the region of £34,000 – £46,000 per annum depending on experience and qualifications
• Paid weekly
• JIB Benefits including workplace pensions and BUPA Private Healthcare
• Reporting to the Fire & Security Systems Supervisor
• On-call 1 week in 7 (STC)
• Team performance bonus linked to company profit share
• Company uniform & PPE
• Modern company van
• 24 days annual holiday plus 8 days statutory bank holidays (32 days total)
• Working for a company committed to regular training to support the role and a friendly, positive work environment.

Required Education, Skills & Qualifications:

• Full UK driving License
• 2 plus years Fire & Security Systems Installation Experience
• FIA Qualifications (desirable)
• Passing of DBS check required on induction

Please contact Andrew Hutchins by email andrew@crimewatchalarms.co.uk or by telephone 07814580473

As you are probably already aware, here at CWE we are very proud of our award-winning Apprenticeship scheme and we are always very willing to share our best practice and the knowledge we have gained over the last 40 years wherever we can.

In the last month we have had two apprentices join the team on a short-term basis from two of our framework partners. We have been operating a ‘shared’ apprenticeship approach for many years, giving our framework partners the opportunity to send across their apprentices to make sure they can carry out all the works required for their NVQ as we appreciate not all companies and work forces have access to the full range of Domestic, Commercial and Industrial works required to complete the qualification.

In March, Layarna joined the Fire & Security Systems team. Layarna is an electrical apprentice in her 3^rd year looking to increase her knowledge in Fire Alarm system installation. Layarna was mentored by our engineer Tom on a large wired system installation and she was with us for 2 weeks.

Last week, Taylor joined our engineers Adam & Kris in our New Build team on site last week to complete installation of containment to complete his NVQ 3. Taylor is also with us for 2 weeks, and this work is one of the last items he needs to complete his coursework.

We wish them both luck with the rest of their apprenticeship and we are glad to have been able to help them on their journey.

At CWE, we whole heartedly believe it is important to give back to our industry. It is vital that we come together to collaborated, this way we can work together for their future ensuring the standards remain high and our industry keeps growing for generations to come.

 

Article by Rachel Meese-Kendall

Did you know that at CWE two of our four Board of Directors are Women?

We are proud of all the wonderful people that make CWE the business it is.

Today we celebrate all the wonderful women in our business: Judith, Judith Mc, Shannon, Taylor, Joanne, Katy & Rachel. You are all strong, courageous women who inspire me every single day. Thank you for playing such an integral role in our business, steering the ship at its helm.

Here are a few of these wonderful women

Today we shine the light on you!

Happy International Women’s Day

This week is an important date in the CWE calendar as we celebrate #NationalApprenticeshipWeek2021 – Keep your eyes peeled over the next few days for case studies and stories from our rising stars.

We will bring you pictures and stories from our apprentices both past and present. We will be highlighting the importance of investing in new learners and celebrating the workforce of the future.

Apprenticeships have played a massive role in growing CWE as a sustainable business over the last forty years. We estimate that more than 60 learners have been enrolled on our apprenticeship scheme over the decades and we are still investing in the scheme!

Our #apprentices play an integral role in our business and we would like to take this opportunity to thank our training provider, Coleg QS based in Cwmbran, for their ongoing support with our learners and our scheme. We would also like to thank each and everyone of our amazing clients; it is thanks to your ongoing support that we can continue to provide our award-winning apprenticeship scheme, thank you.

If you would like any more information on #apprenticeships in the #construction industry, please feel free to DM

#Apprenticeshipweek #WelshApprentice #NAW2021

We are over the moon to announce that our Apprentice (now fully qualified engineer) Jack Noyes has won the very prestigious ECA Ken Baynton Award 2019 for the highest AM2 score of 98% in the South Wales region.

We are all so proud of him for winning this award, what an achievement Jack! CWE is completely committed to our award winning apprenticeship programme, and for one of our own to be recognised by the ECA for the 5th year in a row is absolutely incredible. Thank you

#CWE #ECA #Awardwinning #Electricalcontractors #Apprenticeships #excellence #awards

Monday and Tuesday saw CWE’s reassessment for ISO9001:2015 for Quality Management and ISO14001:2015 for Environmental Management.

Over the course of two days, Directors Rachel & Andrew underwent an in depth audit of all management systems within the company framework by a UKATA accredited ISO Assessor.

Rachel said ‘This is our fourth audit with an ISO assessor but this is our first full reassessment of our systems. Sometimes audits can be daunting, but we were excited by the opportunity to show off the quality of our work practices and the quality of our staff, and this was picked up in the excellent report we received back from the assessor’.

We are pleased to report that the audit was a complete success! So much so, that no issues or non-conformances were raised.

Rachel went on to say ‘as a Director, I am so proud to be reading a report by a third party of an international standard which uses language and phrases such as ‘extremely high standards of commitment’, ‘exceptional’ and ‘excellent’; it is humbling to know people outside our organisation can see what we see.’

The successful completion of this audit sees CWE retain is ISO status for a further three years.