The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The directors aim to present a balanced and comprehensive review of the development and performance of the business during the year and its position at the year end. This review is consistent with the size and non-complex nature of the company and is written in the context of the risks and uncertainties that the company faces.

The company continues to install and provide rental and maintenance of electronic security systems.

The key financial performance indicators are those that communicate the financial performance and strength of the company as a whole, these being turnover and gross profit margin. During the year turnover has increased by 2.7% and the gross profit margin has decreased to 45.6% in 2024 compared with 47.0% in 2023.

Overall there was an operating loss of £210,447 (2023 - £29,703) and loss before tax of £155,861 (2023 - £19,145 profit). After taxation and dividends, profit and loss reserves have decreased by £270,214 (2023 - £131,833).

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the business are continually monitored by the directors who seek to mitigate such risks. Competitive pressure is a continuing risk in the security systems market and margins continue to be tight. The company responds to this risk by offering leading edge technology and providing a range of added-value services to its customers. The company has experienced difficult trading conditions throughout 2023 and 2024 however the consistent strength of the balance sheet remains in force. The directors believe that the company is well placed to react quickly to market forces and to take advantage of any business opportunities that may arise. Specifically in 2024, mounting levels of inflation throughout the year gave rise to increased costs most particularly within finished goods and fuel expenditure. The directors continue to meet this challenge within regular price review meetings.

On behalf of the board

The results for the year are set out on page 6.

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £90,400. The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.

The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, Directors' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditor is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information.

We have audited the financial statements of Abel Alarm Company Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Changes in Equity, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of its loss for the year then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

• the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors' Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

As explained more fully in the Directors' Responsibilities Statement set out on page 2, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. However, responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud ultimately rests with both those charged with governance and management of the company.

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:

• obtaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the company by considering the nature of the industry in which the company operates and enquiring of management; and

• identifying the key laws and regulations considered to have a direct impact on the financial statements including the UK Companies Act 2006, UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice and UK tax legislation; and

• assessing how the company is complying with the applicable legal and regulatory framework by making further enquiries of management and observing the company's control environment regarding compliance with regulations and fraud prevention; and

• assessing the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur, by considering the effectiveness of the company’s accounting systems and controls and how these were monitored by management. Where the risk of material misstatement was considered to be higher in certain areas, further audit procedures were designed to address this increased risk; and

• discussing amongst the engagement team how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.

Our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:

• performing audit work over revenue recognition including analytical procedures and substantive tests of detail of a sample of revenue transactions; and

• reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and

• enquiry of company staff responsible for compliance to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations; and

• performing audit work over the risk of management override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for bias; and

• communicating identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members and assessing whether there are any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions relating to medium-sized companies.

Abel Alarm Company Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The address of the registered office which is the same as the place of business is given in the company information page of these financial statements.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards including FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified to include the revaluation of certain freehold properties (in accordance with FRS 102). The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

Atruet the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business and comprises;

- Turnover from installation of security systems, which is recognised when the installation is complete.

- Turnover from rental and maintenance services, which is recognised equally over the period that the services are provided.

- Turnover from sale of goods is recognised on the date that the goods are despatched as this is the point that all risks and rewards are deemed to be transferred.

Intangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Intangible assets are written off on a straight line basis over their estimated useful economic life of 10 years.

Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

The company previously adopted a policy of revaluing freehold properties. The company has adopted the transition exemption under FRS 102 paragraph 35.10(d) and has elected to use the previous revaluation as deemed cost.

At each reporting period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset, or the asset's cash generating unit is estimated and compared to the carrying amount in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where the carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognised in the profit and loss account unless the asset is carried at a revalued amount where the impairment loss is a revaluation decrease.

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials costs. Provision is made for damaged, obsolete and slow-moving stock where appropriate.

Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are measured at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in the profit and loss account.

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. The company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.

When employees have rendered service to the company, short-term employee benefits to which the employees are entitled are recognised at the undiscounted amount expected to be paid in exchange for that service.

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received.

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to the profit and loss account on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.

In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows:

The annual depreciation charge for tangible assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are re-assessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates.

The annual amortisation charge for intangible assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives. The useful economic lives are re-assessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates.

An analysis of the company's turnover is as follows:

All turnover originates in the United Kingdom from the company's principal activity.

The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 3 (2023 - 3).

From 1 April 2023, the UK corporation tax rate increased from 19% to 25%. The prior year rate is pro-rated accordingly.

The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected (credit)/charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

The following intangible assets, excluding goodwill, are individually material to the financial statements:

Carrying value            Remaining amortisation period

Customer list            £206,136 (2023: £241,819)        5.8 years

Customer list            £366,464 (2023: £417,248)        7.3 years

The company has adopted the transition exemption under FRS 102 paragraph 35.10(d) and has elected to use a previous revaluation as the deemed cost for freehold properties held at the date of transition to FRS 102.

The freehold properties were last revalued in either 2012 or 2013 on the basis of existing use value by independent qualified valuers. The resulting revaluation adjustments were taken to the revaluation reserve.

The comparable historic cost of the freehold properties that have been valued using the deemed cost exemption at the date of transition to FRS 102 is as follows:

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the company has a legally enforceable right to do so. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund.

Both classes of share rank equally in all respects except that the B shares do not carry any voting rights.

The revaluation reserve comprises revaluation surpluses for certain freehold and investment properties net of associated deferred tax on these surpluses.

The profit and loss reserve comprises retained profits and losses for the current and prior periods.

At the reporting end date the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

The company occupies a property owned by close family of a director and a rental of £12,000 (2023: £16,000) was charged to the company in the year in respect of this property.

During the year, dividends of £60,000 and £30,400 (2023: £40,000 and £44,800) were paid respectively to the company directors and the parent company.

During the year, remuneration of £38,392 (2023: £71,917) was paid to close family members of the directors.

Advances or credits have been granted by the company to its directors as follows:

The ultimate parent company is Abel Group Limited, a company registered in England and Wales. J Mulloy is the ultimate controlling party through his controlling interest in Abel Group Limited.

The registered address of Abel Group Limited is the same as the company's registered office address as given in the company information page of these financial statements.

Copies of the ultimate parent company's consolidated financial statements can be obtained from Companies House, Cardiff.