Repeating Burglar Alarms

I think they are a pointless. Like you say, they keep ringing so making it obvious the place is empty and no one has been near to turn the alarm off. The police don't bother coming out for them either. One went off across the road from me a few years back, I called local police, told them the owners were away. They told me to go over and check the place, if I found signs of anything give them a call back! Middle of the night, pitch black - no I didn't go.