Dobermann Security Systems
Dobermann Security Systems, Cannock, Staffordshire, 2016 (by Sarah Hoyle) • “Conjures up a large scary dog”, says Sarah Hoyle, who photographed it. I never found one of these and I like […]
David Webster Security, Rochester, 2015
David Webster Security, High Street, Rochester, Kent, 2015
ICU, Gravesend, 2015
ICU, High Street, Gravesend, Kent, 2015 • Logo beneath looks like it had fishes on…
Security First, Hastings, 2014
Security First, George Street, Hastings, East Sussex, 2014 • And possibly my final zoological alarm ever, a creepy spider graffiti sticker on a rather old bell box.
Brumble Security Systems, Cardiff, 2012
Brumble Security Systems, Morgan Arcade, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF10, Wales, 2012 • Makes me think of a Brumble bee (maybe related to Brundlefly from creepy film The Fly), hence included in […]
Watchdog, Tower Hamlets, 2010
Watchdog Fire & Security Ltd, Tower Hill, Tower Hamlets, London EC3, 2010 • Excellent dog-in-eye logo, albeit a blurry photo taken with a low-res camera.
Pointer, Manchester, 2009
Pointer, Deansgate area, Manchester, Lancashire, M1, England, 2009 • My fav mutt. There are lots more Pointers here.
Colt Security Systems Ltd, City of London, 2010
Colt Security Systems Ltd, Middlesex Street, City of London, London, […]
Brocks Alarms, City of Westminster, 2012
Brocks Alarms, Wells Street, City of Westminster, London, W1, England, 2012 • Synonym for badger, hence with creature theme. I’ve shown one of these white ones on its side, but not upright. […]
Acorn Security Systems, East Grinstead, 2004
Acorn Security Systems, Railway Approach, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19, England, 2004 • Similar to this, but with writing down side.
Cobra, Hackney, 2011
Cobra, Kingsland Road, Hackney, London, E2, England, 2011 • Loving the Cobras, here’s my last one, looks like the name fell off.
Cobra, Camden, 2012
Cobra, Clerkenwell Road, Camden, London, EC1, England, 2012 • Same as this one, but no bulb.
Armadillo, Aylesbury, 2010
Armadillo, Buckingham Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20, England, 2010 • I’m now posting my final few remaining animal designs, so some are just slight variations. There’s an older design of this […]
Kestrel Alarms, Camden, 2012
Kestrel Alarms, Flask Walk, Camden, London, NW3, England, 2012 • They seem to specialise in take-over labels, there are two others here.
Hawk Limited, Leeds, 2014
Hawk Limited, Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2, England, 2014 • Quite similar but nevertheless different to all here. And probably my last-ever hawk.
Falcon Security, Liverpool, 2010
Falcon Security, Norfolk Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1, England, 2010 • Previously show in the distance in distance here.
Eagle Canterbury, Herne Bay, 2004
Eagle Canterbury, High Street, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6, England, 2004 • Localised version of this.
Swift Northern, Manchester, 2009
Swift Northern, Deansgate area, Manchester, Lancashire, M1, England, 2009 • Northern version of this.
OTS, Islington, 2010
OTS, Hanley Road, Islington, London, N4, England, 2010 • Similar to this, which boasts a logo on the owl’s chest.
Security Wise, Oswestry, 2014
Security Wise, Leg Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, 2014 • And an older Security Wise of the “baton” type, which actually looks like a takeover label.
Security Wise, Shrewsbury, 2014
Security Wise, Windsor Place, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, 2014 • A better shot than the one here.
Hawkclose Ltd, Liverpool, 2008
“Hawkclose Ltd Liverpool” burglar alarm, Liverpool • Really blurry, but it’s the only one of these I ever found, so included for the sake of creature completeness. • Spotted: Town centre, […]
Hawk Limited, Bradford, 2014
“Hawk Limited” burglar alarm, Bradford • Nice hawk! I saw quite a lot of these up North. There’s another version here. • Spotted: Ivegate, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1, England, 2014 • […]
Hawk Alarms, Southwark, 2012
“Hawk Alarms” burglar alarm, Southwark • Bah, no picture of a hawk! • Spotted: Bermondsey Street, Southwark, London, SE1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bermondsey and […]
Owl Alarms, Bristol, 2012
“Owl Alarms” burglar alarm, Bristol • Very popular alarm bird – there’s another version of this firm’s bell box here. • Spotted: Baldwin Street, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2012 • Politics: […]
Phoenix Security Systems, Shrewsbury, 2014
“Phoenix Security Systems” burglar alarm, Shrewsbury • I always like mythological creatures on alarms – there’s another good Phoenix here. • Spotted: Claremont Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1, England, 2014 • Politics: […]
Cobra, Southwark, 2012
“Cobra” burglar alarm, Southwark • And another Cobra, just its head this time. • Spotted: Druid Street, Southwark, London, SE1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bermondsey […]
Cobra, Tower Hamlets, 2007
“Cobra” burglar alarm, Tower Hamlets • Great snake picture on these Cobra alarms, there are a few more here. • Spotted: Redchurch Street, Tower Hamlets, London, E2, England, 2007 • Politics: […]
Bulldog Alarms, Leeds, 2014
“Bulldog Alarms” burglar alarm, Leeds • Now to revisit a few animals. You’ll find more bulldog alarms here. • Spotted: North Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2, England, 2014 • Politics: In […]
Bulldog, Derby, 2010
“Bulldog” burglar alarm, Derby • Great logo, a similar alarm was one of the very first I published (five years ago, ye gods). • Spotted: Town centre, Derby, Derbyshire, DE1, England, […]
Knighthood, City of Westminster, 2012
“Knighthood” burglar alarm, City of Westminster • Newer version of one featured here. • Spotted: Long Acre, City of Westminster, London, WC2, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of […]
1st New Century Security, Bristol, 2011
“1st New Century Security” burglar alarm, Bristol • An appropriate name for a new year. There’s another version of this, minus the “1st”, here. • Spotted: Victoria Street, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, […]
Three Brocks alarms, Camden, 2006
Three Brocks burglar alarms, Camden • The one top left is an ancient Brocks – you can see a better one here. The other two are a different ancient Brocks design, which probably […]
Brocks Alarms, Islington, 2012
“Brocks Alarms” burglar alarm, Islington • I always like these, even half-scalped. • Spotted: Camden Passage, Islington, London, N1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Islington South and […]
Civic Security, Hackney, 2005
“Civic Security” burglar alarm, Hackney • Similar but with no owl and a graffiti sticker here; and a very vintage one here. • Spotted: Broadway Market, Hackney, London, E8, England, 2005 • […]
Safe Sound Ltd Security Systems, 2011
“Safe Sound Ltd Security Systems Approved Nacoss Installer” burglar alarm, Southwark • Nice old box, I always like a giant key drawing. • Spotted: Long Lane, Southwark, London, SE1, England, 2011 […]
Security Wise, Shrewsbury, 2014
“Security Wise Ltd” burglar alarm, Shrewsbury • A wise owl, geddit? • Spotted: Castle Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1, England, 2014 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Shrewsbury and Atcham
Brocks Alarms, City of Westminster, 2012
“Brocks Alarms” burglar alarm, City of Westminster • Vintage sounder so wonky it’s sideways. May once have had a gold lion on it, too. • Spotted: Berwick Street, City of […]
Spitfire Security Systems, Camden, 2012
“Spitfire Security Systems” burglar alarm, Camden • Caged behind a ridiculously narrow balcony. • Spotted: Fitzroy Street, Camden, London, W1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Holborn and […]
Britannic Security Systems, Birmingham, 2013
“Britannic Security Systems” burglar alarm, Birmingham • Another stylised Union Jack. This logo once belonged to Britannia, but it’s had a change of end letter. • Spotted: Water Street, Birmingham, West […]
Panda, Liverpool, 2003
“Panda” burglar alarm, Liverpool • A close up of one I featured ages ago here for its colourful location. • Spotted: Argyle Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1, England, 2003 • Politics: In the Labour […]
Brocks Security System, Tower Hamlets, 2006
“Brocks Security System” burglar alarm, Tower Hamlets • Slightly newer than yesterday’s Brocks. • Spotted: The Oval, Tower Hamlets, London, E2, England, 2006 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Bethnal […]
Brocks Burglar Alarm, Westminster, 2012
“Brocks Burglar Alarm” burglar alarm, City of Westminster • A vintage Brocks variation I’ve not featured before. • Spotted: Berwick Street, City of Westminster, London, W1, England, 2012 • Politics: In […]
APE, Frome, 2008
“APE Bristol” burglar alarm, Frome • More informative version of the simian soundwaves also featured here. • Spotted: Town centre, Frome, Somerset, BA11, England, 2008 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat […]
Thorn, Bristol, 2013
“Thorn” burglar alarm, Bristol • Just two stickers on this – a dog, and what looks like the Loch Ness monster (or maybe a dinosaur). • Spotted: John Street, Bristol, […]
Lloyds Bank logo, Oxford, 2012
Lloyds Bank logo burglar alarm, Oxford • Well it hasn’t got a name on it, but that’s a Lloyds Bank (pre-Lloyds TSB) logo, and it was indeed on a Lloyds […]
Phoenix Total Security, Westminster: galaxy
"Phoenix Total Security" burglar alarm, City of Westminster • Why is everything in the sky named after Greek mythology? As well as a constellation, the fire-renewing Phoenix bird has lent its name to a prototype launch vehicle, a galaxy cluster, a dwarf galaxy, a NASA mission to Mars, and – as Project Phoenix – the famous SETI, a search for extraterrestrial intelligence. And now, for the third time on this blog, it's on a burglar alarm too. • Spotted: Marylebone Road, City of Westminster, London, NW1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cities of London and WestminsterCerberus, Bristol: hades
"Cerberus" burglar alarm, Bristol • Weird blank arched alarm named after the three-headed guard dog to the entrance of Hades, also known as a constellation and a dark spot on Mars, amongst other astronomical things. There's a very tiny logo on there, but I can't work out what it is: it looks like a a book, a shield and a knight stumbled into the telepod machine that turned Jeff Goldblum into The Fly.• Spotted: John Street, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2013 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol WestGreystag, Birmingham: stationary
"Greystag Security Systems" burglar alarm, Birmingham • And finally for this run of crazy creatures, a grey stag I spotted just last week in Birmingham – it seems to be the guardian beast of choice on every train station there. • Spotted: Snow Hill station, Livery Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B3, England, 2013 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Birmingham LadywoodHawk, Exeter: grumpy
"Hawk" burglar alarm, Exeter • What a grumpy-looking bird! I found it on a fish shop (well, aquarium supplies), thus doubling its relevance to this update of the creatures theme. • Spotted: Market Street, Exeter, Devon, EX1, England, 2013 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of ExeterGroup 4 Falck, Camden: mixture
"Group 4 Falck" burglar alarm, Camden • This is boring, but it does have a little bird which, since the firm is called Falck, I am guessing is a falcon mixed with a bit of hawk. • Spotted: Fortess Road, Camden, London, NW5, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Holborn and St PancrasFalcon Security Solutions, Stroud: angry
"Falcon Security Solutions" burglar alarm, Stroud • Yikes, yet another angry bird. • Spotted: London Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of StroudEagle, Westminster: completist
"Eagle" burglar alarm, City of Westminster • I've featured this not-massively-exciting logo before, but here it is again on an unusual-shaped box, only the second example I've found (the first is here). Completist! • Spotted: Margaret Street, City of Westminster, London, W1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cities of London and WestminsterEagle Security, Camden: clawing
"Eagle Security" burglar alarm, Camden • And now we move onto the fierce, hawkish birds so popular in urban areas. This one's a mite heraldic, but it also looks like it might claw you to death. Not, I have to say, the finest rendition of an eagle I have ever seen. • Spotted: Great Russell Street, Camden, London, WC1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Holborn and St PancrasWessex Fire & Security: updated
"Wessex Fire & Security" burglar alarm, Shaftesbury • I first featured the Wessex owl here, and it's one of my all-time favourites. The firm has just updated their identity, so I'm happy to report that they've kept the wise old bird: far more charming the fierce beasts popular in more urban areas, and an appealing contrast to the dull corporate-type bell box designs that seem to be proliferating. • Spotted: Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7, England, 2013 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of North DorsetOwl Alarms, Exeter: cutie
"Owl Alarms" burglar alarm, Exeter • As far as burglar alarm beasts are concerned, you can't go far wrong with the wise, night-hunting owl. Although this old example is so faded it's hard to see the illustration, I assure you it's a cutie. • Spotted: South Street, Exeter, Devon, EX1, England, 2013 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of ExeterNT Security, Westminster: flowing
"NT Security" burglar alarm, City of Westminster • Now we move onto birds, firstly of the arbitrary (ie not overtly hawkish) kind. Not totally clear what kind of avian this flowing illustration represents, but I reckon it's a dove. Or a swift. • Spotted: Riding House Street, City of Westminster, London, W1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cities of London and WestminsterB.D. Security, Fulham: barking
"B.D. Security" burglar alarm, Hammersmith and Fulham • I have long been waiting to show this excellent cartoon logo, in which which I think B.D. stands for 'barking dog'. There weren't any guard dogs in earshot when I photographed it, though; maybe the firm is based in Barking. • Spotted: Chelsea Harbour, Hammersmith and Fulham, London, SW10, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Chelsea and Fulham“Shorrock” with dog sticker, Bristol: revisited
"Shorrock" burglar alarm with dog sticker, Bristol • I got obsessed with this sticker a while back, as you can read here and here. And when I went back five years later it was still there, albeit even more tattered. • Spotted: Richmond Hill, Bristol, Avon, BS8, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol WestWeb Security Systems, Edinburgh: creepy
"Web Security Systems" burglar alarm, Edinburgh • A spider's web - now that's just downright creepy. Quite striking, though. • Spotted: Thistle Street, Edinburgh, EH2, Scotland, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Edinburgh North and LeithYorkshire Systems, Hull: Sea monkeys?
"Yorkshire Systems" burglar alarm, Hull • Griffins? Sea monkeys? Your guess is as good as mine. • Spotted: Bond Street, Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire, HU1, England, 2013 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Hull West and HessleDragon, Cardiff: Welsh
"Dragon" burglar alarm, Cardiff • The Welsh never get tired of their dragons, do they? And neither do I. • Spotted: St Mary Street, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF10, Wales, 2012 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Cardiff CentralSalamander, Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespearean
"Salamander Monitored Alarm Systems" burglar alarm, Stratford-upon-Avon • A while back I featured a gecko, and now here's a salamander. Will this motley parade of non-burglar-alarm-appropriate creatures never cease? Or is it actually a clever piece of Shakespearean-style wordplay on "monitor lizard"? • Spotted: Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Stratford-on-Avon
Buckstone Security, Edinburgh: Buckfast
"Buckstone Security" burglar alarm, Edinburgh • A monarch of the glen – how magnificently Scottish. Alternatively, they could have shown a big bottle of Buckfast. • Spotted: Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh, EH1, Scotland, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Edinburgh EastCobra, Hackney: yum
"Cobra" burglar alarm, Hackney • It's eaten a giant bulb! • Spotted: Kingsland High Street, Hackney, London, E8, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Hackney North and Stoke NewingtonWormald Security, Islington: Dickensian
"Wormald Security" burglar alarm, Islington • And when you're fishing, you need a worm. Or a Wormald. What a wonderful Dickensian name! And a great 1970s-style modernist monogram, as well. • Spotted: Central Street, Islington, London, EC1, England, 2013 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Islington South and FinsburyFisher, Hull: angling
“Fisher Security” burglar alarm, Hull • Not a fish exactly, but it does suggest catching them – which was once big business in Hull. • Spotted: Jameson Street, Kingston upon […]
Blakeglow, Southwark: dolphin
"Blakeglow" burglar alarm, Southwark • A contender for the least-convincing burglar alarm corporate identity award, this tiny peeling sticker looks like it was drawn in biro, and – bizarrely – features that noted guardian beast, a leaping dolphin. At least, that's what I think it is; the shape of its beak seems to rule out a killer whale. • Spotted: Bermondsey Street, Southwark, London, SE1, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bermondsey and Old SouthwarkBrocks Security Systems, Islington: badger
"Brocks Security Systems" burglar alarm, Islington • Superb vintage sounder with a 3D representation of a striking bell, sharing a monicker with Brock the (hopefully non-tubercular) badger. • Spotted: Dallington Street, Islington, London EC1, England, 2013 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Islington South and FinsburyIvory, Camden: tusker
"Ivory" burglar alarm, Camden • It's a long time since I featured alarms with animals on, and since then I've come across several more sounders featuring wildly improbable guardian beasts. So here's a reboot of the "Crazy Creatures" theme, starting with this magnificent tusker, storming forward to trample intruders to death. • Spotted: Maple Street, Camden, London, W1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Holborn and St PancrasAlarm Vision, Cardiff: spiky
"Alarm Vision" burglar alarm, Cardiff • This is great. I love the way the Welsh feel driven to put red dragons on everything – and how can you not like a tiny mythical creature poncing around in a spiky monogram-cum-waveform? • Spotted: Quay Street, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF10, Wales, 2012 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Cardiff CentralBell Alarms, Glasgow: angular
"Bell Alarms" burglar alarm, Glasgow • I've already featured many a bell, and here's a wonky angular one bearing the Scottish flag and a tiny owl. So, it probably doesn't sound that great. • Spotted: Saucihall Street, Glasgow, G2, Scotland, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Glasgow CentralFife Alarms, Edinburgh: shrieky
"Fife Alarms" burglar alarm, Edinburgh • Another medieval instrument, and even shriller than the clarion, a fife is a small, shrieky flute beloved of marching bands. It's also a place in Scotland of course, which is probably what this alarm was named after. • Spotted: Howe Street, Edinburgh, EH3, Scotland, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Edinburgh North and Leith“Ape Fire & Security”, Bristol: wild
"Ape Fire & Security" burglar alarm, Bristol • Ah, APE – not only a wild animal emitting soundwaves, but an unexplained hand-drawn monogram in the shape of a circle. Many boxes ticked. • Spotted: Victoria Street, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West“Burglarm”, Winchester: eccentric
"Burglarm Southampton" burglar alarm, Winchester • And finally, to see out 2012, one of my all-time favourite monograms, which I have been waiting two long years to feature – the eccentrically-titled Burglarm, whose monogram inexplicably features an S-shaped serpent struggling out of a letter "B". I suppose it stands for Burglarm Southampton, and since it's not a town noted for snake infestations, the slithering fellow must represent a burglar. Anyway, Burglarm are no more: founded in 1968, they were taken over in 2006 by the rather grand Berkeley Guard, who maintain a nice page of Burglarm history here. • Spotted: Town centre, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Winchester“Dragon” burglar alarm, Bath: Welsh magic
"Dragon" burglar alarm, Bath • Some Taffs crossed river to Bristol, it seems, and deposited their red dragon there. Dating back to at least 829 AD, "Y Ddraig Goch" still features on the Welsh flag today, though by Tudor times the poor thing was also supporting the English crown's coat of arms. Reminds me of an old children's song: "Puff the magic dragon, lived by the sea..." (blubs uncontrollably). • Spotted: Milsom Street, Bath, Avon, BA1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bath“S.G.D. Security”, Bristol: rough and ready
"S.G.D. Security" burglar alarm, Bristol • I don't know what S.G.D. stands for, but I think we can assume it's not "So Good". Sadly, I can't make out what firm their rough-and-ready heraldic punching lion has stickered over. • Spotted: Union Street, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West“Security Ltd”, City of London: lions passant
"Security Ltd" burglar alarm, City of London • This shows three lions "passant", as on the Royal Arms of England, dating from the 1198 Great Seal of the Realm. How things last: if only the seal's first owner, Richard I, could have known the design would endure to enhance burglar alarms and football kit over 800 years later. Oddly, there's no actual firm's name on this, unless they're just called Security Limited. Maybe they are. • Spotted: Aldersgate Street, City of London, London, EC1, England, 2006 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cities of London and Westminster“Wright Security”, Lewisham: lion rampant
"Wright Security" burglar alarm, Lewisham • This heraldic lion is similar to yesterday's, only facing the other way, and punching rather than slashing with its paw. Known as a "lion rampant", it's a venerable heraldic device that has been used to represent England since Norman times – though because of the colour scheme, this looks more Scottish to me. • Spotted: Deptford Bridge, Lewisham, London, SE8, England, 2002 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Lewisham DeptfordSheba Alarms”, Southwark: non-rottweiller
"Sheba Alarms" burglar alarm, Southwark • I used to live in a really tough part of London where everyone had rottweilers, and they were all – depending on if they were boys or girls – called Tyson or Sheba. The dogs, that is. However this is a lion, and Sheba was a biblical land (probably Yemen), so either this is a lion of the desert, or the designer thought it was a mutt. • Spotted: Dolben Street, Southwark, London, SE1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark“Brocks Alarms”, Islington: non-faded
"Brocks Alarms" burglar alarm, Islington • You don't see too many of these old Brocks boxes with the lion and shield on; normally they are plain white with just the logo at the top. I never know whether that's because they started like that, or the lion and shield faded off – I suspect the latter. A nice design anyway, and it heralds (geddit) the last shield, as the knightly arm-borne protection falls away leaving just a few heraldic-style animals. • Spotted: Albermarle Way, Islington, London, EC1, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Islington South and Finsbury
“Bristol & West Security”, Bristol: criminal tattoo
"Bristol & West Security" burglar alarm, Bristol • The name looks and sounds as if it's a building society (the old fashioned non-hedge fund sort) – so maybe it was. Under Photoshop enhancement, the faded carbuncle above the name (below) resembles a Russian criminal tattoo. Phenomenally complex, it incorporates two unicorns, a massive old ship on a shield (shades of old Westward TV logo), crossed human arms clutching scales of justice and a snake (law v burglar v, geddit?), and the legend Quality in Service. They don't make 'em like that any more. • Spotted: Baldwin Street, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West
“New Century Security”, Bristol: double whammy
"New Century Security" burglar alarm, Bristol • This is a double whammy: a shield-within-shield logo. And not just that, but a gauntlet clutching a lightning bolt, a rampant lion, a window at night (I think), a repetition of their name, and what looks like the European stars. There's even another version with "21st" above the title, just in case you thought the new century was the 18th. Talk about covering all the bases. • Spotted: Surrey Street, Bristol, Avon, BS2, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West
“Ambassador”, Old Coulsdon: dog-head
"Ambassador" burglar alarm, Old Coulsdon • More cockles, and a dog prancing on someone's head. Loads of these heraldic alarm shields have helmets on top, and this is a bit like Hadleigh – maybe they all copied the same piece of clip art. They all look like logos for local government rather than burglar alarms, anyway – I could see this over the entrance arch of an LCC council estate. Heaven knows what LPC stands for here, or how it relates to an ambassador. • Spotted: Court Avenue, Old Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Croydon South
“Westminster”, Chelsea: wrong borough
"Westminster Security Systems Ltd" burglar alarm, Kensington and Chelsea • Oi! You're in the wrong borough! Even looking at the close-up (below), I can't quite work out what's going on here – two pit-bulls holding up a drunken soldier, or something. • Spotted: Godfrey Street, Kensington and Chelsea, London, SW3, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Chelsea and Fulham
“Knightsbridge”, Merton: horsey bling
"Knightsbridge Security Systems Ltd" burglar alarm, Merton • Giant chains, jewelled keys and a white horse (at least that's what I think it is) on top: that's one blingy portcullis Knightsbridge have in their possession, worthy of Harry Potter or Katie Price. Though like West London Security, the placing is slightly off – wealthy Wimbledon Village may very well be full of bespoke portcullises, but it's a long way from Knightsbridge. Dodgy geography seems to be a feature of portcullis alarms. • Spotted: High Street, Wimbledon Village, Merton, London, SW19, England, 2006 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Wimbledon“Britannia”, Southwark: patriotic lion
"Britannia" burglar alarm, Southwark • I end the Roman Britain theme as I began, with Britannia – I never tire of their swinging sixties-style logo, which wouldn't look out of place in a Paul Smith boutique. This old box has a bulb on top, which thanks to the comment here I now know is considered somewhat insecure, as a passing ne'er-do-well could use it to lever the alarm off. • Spotted: Morocco Street, Southwark, London, SE1, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark“Knighthood”, Tower Hamlets: tricky moves
"Knighthood" burglar alarm, Tower Hamlets • Pictured twice and named thrice, this shows a knight in the chess sense, renowned for its tricky moves. Or maybe the owner of this company actually does have (or hanker after) a knighthood – not impossible, as Sir Jules Thorn would attest, were he still alive. • Spotted: Blackwall Tunnel North Approach, Tower Hamlets, London, E3, England, 2006 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow“Knight Security Systems”, Southwark: patriotic jouster
"Knight Security Systems" burglar alarm, Southwark • Yet another patriotically jousting horseman, this time with the exact same name as the vintage box featured here – so maybe it's the same company. • Spotted: Belvedere Buildings, Southwark, London, SE1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark“Anglian”, Lowestoft: fish-fingery fellow
"Anglian" burglar alarm, Lowestoft • I used to fondly imagine this stencilled knight was some archaic reference to Anglia TV, left stranded high and dry in far-flung, fish finger-smelling Lowestoft. However the other day I drove past an office in equally fish-fingery Cornwall bearing this selfsame logo, so I now know it is a product of Anglian Homes, which isn't quite as exciting. • Spotted: Town centre, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Waveney“Blue Knight”, Bristol: hearty thrust
"Blue Knight Security Systems Ltd" burglar alarm, Bristol • Knights are generally shown astride their defining factor, the warhorse – this galloping gallant appears to have speared a burglar's heart on his lance. • Spotted: Prince Street, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West“Knight Installations”, Dorking: thrusting sword
"Knight Installations" burglar alarm, Dorking • This is brilliant – 1970s type framing a triumphal image of a knight in ceremonial armour, complete with plumed full-face visor, cloaked warhorse, St George's Cross jerkin and massive thrusting sword. So very Dorking, and so much more effective than a guard dog. • Spotted: Town centre, Dorking, Surrey, RH4, England, 2008 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Mole Valley“Swift Alarms Supplies”, Westminster: fast flier
"Swift Alarms Supplies Limited" burglar alarm, City of Westminster • There are billions (approx) of security firms featuring birds, but this is only the second Swift I've found – the other one is here, and is called simply Swift. This looks like the same silhouette and font as on that one, so I reckon it's an older incarnation of the same company which, judging by the 0892 code, was based in the Tunbridge Wells area. The selfsame bird can be found on the current website of Swift Alarms Group, and indeed it says they started life in Tunbbridge Wells in 1978 as Swift Alarms Supplies Limited, so my guess was right. I should have just gone to their website first... • Spotted: Newman Passage, City of Westminster, London, W1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cities of London and Westminster“Jaguar Alarms London”, Wandsworth: holey cat
"Jaguar Alarms London" burglar alarm, Wandsworth • Presumably this minimalist and somewhat holed Jaguar is a vintage remnant of the Acton-based Jaguar Alarm Company featured here – a company later acquired by Ambush, as discussed in these comments. This so-called (by me) "baton" sounder is unusual for having a blue bulb, and the logo printed directly on to it – all the others I've found have red bulbs and labels. Riveting! • Spotted: Battersea High Street, Wandsworth, London, SE11, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Battersea“OxLox Alarm Systems”, Oxford: baton sounder
"OxLox Alarm Systems" burglar alarm, Oxford • Today I start a brief run of what, until someone tells me their proper name, I can only call "baton" sounders – these long, slim, rather elegant boxes, with a flat circular bulb at the top. From the ancient phone numbers it's clear they are vintage, and they generally sport interesting graphics. This one, OxLox, is superb: it looks like a piece of art typography, or concrete poetry, and namechecks a bizarre anglo-jewish food combination – ox (as in ox cheek or ox tail) and lox (as in the cured salmon you get in bagels). In fact it's a clever play on "Oxford Locks", for an Oxfordshire firm that is no more. (Update: a commenter, below, says they do still exist but with a different phone number.) • Spotted: George Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Oxford East“Gardner”, Gloucester: wrong kind of gardener
"Gardner Security" burglar alarm, Gloucester • Finally, a gardener to keep up with all these botanical sounders – though one with poor spelling, and in possession of a lion. I assumed it was this Gardner Security, who lasted from 1981 to 2010, then became subsumed by Christie Intruder Alarms, the 42-year-old firm behind the famous CIA "crouching man" sounders. But a comment below tells me that this is a different Gardner Security, of Gloucester – who sold to Modern in the 1990s, thus ending up as part of ADT So now you know. • Spotted: Town centre, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1, England, 2008 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Gloucester“BAT Alarm”, Birmingham: exploding arrows
"BAT Alarm" burglar alarm, Birmingham • Robin – the Bat Alarm! Actually this belongs not to Batman but to Birmingham Alarm Technicians, whose square box was featured in the creatures theme here. My blurred shot of their delta sounder gets a showing in this arrows category thanks to – of course – its exploding arrows, which look a bit like a rotated version of the somewhat dubious "arrow cross" discussed yesterday. • Spotted: Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, West Midlands, B18, England, 2005 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Birmingham Ladywood
Burglar Alarm Britain 