A security system comprises: one or more video cameras (10) producing video signals; a frame store (40) for storing a frame of at least one of the video signals; at least one alarm sensor (32) operable to produce an alarm signal; a fax modem (44); and a controller (46) which is responsive to such an alarm signal to cause the fax modem to call a stored fax number and transmit a stored video frame as a fax signal. The system may be associated with and interact with a video surveillance and recording system (14, 26, 28).