When were burglar alarms invented?

Question: When were burglar alarms invented!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Definitely in use by 1899 as they are mentioned in the wonderful "Raffles" books by E W Hornung
As you would need a reliable source of electricity, mains or accumulator then I can't see them being possible before about the 1840s
this -> http://www!.buzzle!.com/articles/burglar-a!.!.!. <- article claims the first electric alarm was invented in 1850 and a simple mechanical system at an unspecified earlier dateWww@QuestionHome@Com

The first were dogs and the Romans used geese which were kept because they caused great noise at approach of strangers!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

when mr burgler had his house broken into and decided to invent an alarm to protect itWww@QuestionHome@Com

about the time dogs where domesticated!.Www@QuestionHome@Com