Star Security Systems, Southwark: retro vibe

"Star Security Systems" burglar alarm, Southwark • Stars seem to bring out the 1970s vibe in designers – this sports the fab blobby retro font Cooper Black, originally from the 1920s but also massively popular 50 years later. • Spotted: Belvedere Buildings, Southwark, London, SE1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark

Star Security, Bristol: disco-tastic

"Star Security Bristol" burglar alarm, Bristol • One of my favourites, a real 1970s pop star of a bell box – just competely and utterly discotastic. • Spotted: Town centre, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2006 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West

Eclipse Alarms, Stratford-upon-Avon: dynamo

"Eclipse Alarms" burglar alarm, Stratford-upon-Avon • Another Eclipse alarm, which unlike yesterday's has the logo printed onto the bell box. Little else to say about this other than it's very dull, albeit using the classic machine age font Dynamo, orignally deigned by K. Sommer in 1930. • Spotted: Meer Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Stratford-on-Avon

Eclipse Alarms, Stratford-upon-Avon: painstaking

"Eclipse Alarms" burglar alarm, Stratford-upon-Avon • A painstaking but badly cut-out collage job: someone's printed the logo onto a label, then stuck it piece by piece onto this old Eurobell. There's even a sooty black eclipse image at the top, though it looks more like a bulb has fallen off. • Spotted: Ely Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Stratford-on-Avon

Eclipse, Derby: strange

"Eclipse Alarms" burglar alarm, Derby • Strange choice of name for a solar-powered alarm! Nice to see a fully-illustrated eclipse, though. • Spotted: Town centre, Derby, Derbyshire, DE1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Derby South

Padley, Brighton: blaring

"Padley Security" burglar alarm, Brighton • This is a bit odd, as the name seems to have nothing to do with the sun. Maybe the image is meant to be a blaring bell, or a flashing light. Or maybe it's just a celebration of the sunniness of Brighton. • Spotted: Queens Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Brighton Kemptown

Sun Alarm, Tower Hamlets: gas hob

"Sun Alarm" burglar alarm, Tower Hamlets • Looks more like a gas hob on low than a sun (to me, at least – but then I've got a particularly crap gas cooker). • Spotted: Columbia Road, Tower Hamlets, London, E2, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow

Solar Security, Westminster: giant screws

"Solar Security" burglar alarm, City of Westminster • Nice bold old-school type plus giant screws, and it looks like the bulb has fallen off (as I doubt that's a vintage solar cell). • Spotted: Henrietta Street, City of Westminster, London, WC2, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cities of London and Westminster

Solar Security, Lambeth: sunny

"Solar Security" burglar alarm, Lambeth • It's a nice sunny colour, but operates in a 100% non-solar-powered fashion. • Spotted: Atlantic Road, Lambeth, London, SW9, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Dulwich and West Norwood

Ades Burglar Alarm, Bristol: red moons

"Ades Burglar Alarm" burglar alarm, Bristol • I really like this weird old 1970s disco-style logo I found in Bristol, home of one squillion burglar alarm firms. It's probably meant to be soundwaves emanating from a bell, but looks more like a lot of crescent moons surrounding a planet, so I'm including it in the astronomy category too. The colour of the box may be significant: Ades is an unusual surname thought to derive from the Hebrew for "red". • Spotted: Gloucester Street, Bristol, Avon, BS2, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West

City Security Holdings, Bristol: wrinkled

"City Security Holdings" burglar alarm, Bristol • I always thought this logo was a crescent moon, but have just realised it may also be half an eye and also a C monogram – multilayered! Sadly the labels on these City alarms haven't worn well, they all seem to end up wrinkled like this one. • Spotted: Broad Street, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West

Titan, Oxford: resonant

"Titan" burglar alarm, Oxford • Giant Greek god aka the largest moon of Saturn – a nice resonant burglar alarm name for the profs of Oxford. • Spotted: Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Oxford East

Quantum Security, Westminster: atomic

"Quantum Security" burglar alarm, City of Westminster • Judging by the name, this is possibly meant to represent an atom. But it looks like Saturn, so I've included it under astronomy too. • Spotted: New Cavendish Street, City of Westminster, London, W1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cities of London and Westminster

Saturn Protection, Liverpool: space probe

"Saturn Protection" burglar alarm, Liverpool • On the mythology front, Saturn was an ancient and rather complex Roman god. However this design concentrates entirely on outer space, quite a lot of which has been crammed in: a magnificent section of ring-swirled Saturn, with a jaunty space probe bearing a tiny "S" logo circling it. It's possibly Pioneer 11, the first probe to Saturn. Excellent! • Spotted: Town centre, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1, England, 2008 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Liverpool Riverside

Jupiter Alarms, East Grinstead: chief deity

"Jupiter Alarms" burglar alarm, East Grinstead • Large planet, though not red (that's Mars), so maybe the rosy blob is one of its 67-odd moons, the reddish  Io. The planet is named after Iuppiter, chief deity of Roman state religion throughout the Republican and Imperial eras – he's often represented by a thunderbolt, also popular on burglar alarms. • Spotted: Middle Row, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19, England, 2004 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Sussex Mid

SSG Fire & Security, Bristol: earthy

"SSG Fire & Security" burglar alarm, Bristol • Starting today: astronomy and the heavens. So let's begin close to home, with a worryingly tilted planet earth. • Spotted: Broadmead, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2013 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West

Greystag, 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 Ladywood

Hawk, 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 Exeter

Group 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 Pancras

Falcon 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 Stroud

Eagle, 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 Westminster

Eagle 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 Pancras

Wessex 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 Dorset

Owl 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 Exeter

NT 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 Westminster

B.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 West

Web 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 Leith

Yorkshire 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 Hessle

Dragon, 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 Central

Salamander, 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 East

Cobra, 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 Newington

Wormald 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 Finsbury

Fisher, 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 Southwark

Brocks 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 Finsbury

Ivory, 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 Pancras

Robot, Camden: serf

"Robot" burglar alarm, Camden • And finally, the ultimate computer: a 1980s New Romantic-style robot. (I know I've included Robot before, but this is a slightly different logo.) Wikipedia pop fact: the word robota means literally "serf labour" in Czech. • Spotted: Well Walk, Camden, London, NW3, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Hampstead and Kilburn

Plexnet, Bristol: computery

"Plexnet Networking and Digital Technology" burglar alarm, Bristol • I have no idea what a plexnet is, but it sounds digital and computery, so I'm including it here. • Spotted: St Nicholas Street, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West

Sim, Glasgow: smartphone

"Sim" burglar alarm, Glasgow • Not just an unexplained acronym, but an early computer game (Sim City et al), and the heart of every mobile phone, whether smart or stupid. • Spotted: Brook Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, G40, Scotland, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Glasgow Central

Micro-Vision, Stroud: throwback

"Micro-Vision Fire and Security" burglar alarm, Stroud • Maybe a throwback to the days when computers were called micros; or maybe just a claim to catch very small burglars. • Spotted: Threadneedle Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Stroud

Amiga, Camden: picobyte

"Amiga" burglar alarm, Camden • Ancient home computer  alert – I seem to remember Amigas were popular with musicians in the early 1990s, because you could create a whole album using about one picobyte of memory. Thus adding relevance to the weird spotlight logo, which is probably meant to look like it's shining on burglars. • Spotted: Tavistock Place, Camden, London, WC1, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Holborn and St Pancras

PC, Stratford-upon-Avon: minimalist

"PC Security" burglar alarm, Stratford-upon-Avon • Three popular security tropes in one minimalist logo: police and thieves, locksmithery, and of course computers. I think we can leave political correctness out of it.  • Spotted: Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Stratford-on-Avon

Morse, Camden: sleuthing

"Morse Security" burglar alarm, Camden • A giant felon's fingerprint on a shiny light-up bell box – how great! The name suggests the sleuthing of Inspector Morse, but of course also evokes morse code - which is a kind of computing. So I stand by including it in my maths theme. • Spotted: Greville Street, Camden, London, EC1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Holborn and St Pancras

Code, Lambeth: console

"Code Security Systems" burglar alarm, Lambeth • Judging by the logo, I think they mean computer code – the look is very early 1990s console game (or possibly a reject from a gay rave club). • Spotted: Beehive Place, Lambeth, London, SW9, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Dulwich and West Norwood

Logic, Westminster: deduction

"Logic Fire & Security" burglar alarm, City of Westminster • Says Wikipedia: "Logic (from the Greek logikē) has two meanings: first, it describes the use of valid reasoning in some activity; second, it names the normative study of reasoning or a branch thereof. In the latter sense, it features most prominently in the subjects of philosophy, mathematics, and computer science." And thus, by use of the former definition, I deduce that it is a valid member of my maths and computing set. • Spotted: Newman Street, City of Westminster, London, W1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cities of London and Westminster

Matrix Security, Brighton: array

"Matrix Security" burglar alarm, Brighton • Has lots of connotations, including an incomprehensible and increasingly crappy film franchise. But it's also a mathematical term, meaning a rectangular array of elements. And the word offers designers the chance to use a giant 'X', which is always good. • Spotted: Surrey Street, Brighton, East Sussex, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Green constituency of Brighton Pavilion

Radius, Lambeth: chariot wheel

"Radius" burglar alarm, Lambeth • In classical geometry, the radius of a circle or sphere is the length of a line segment from its center to its perimeter. The name comes from the Latin radius, meaning 'ray', but also the spoke of a chariot wheel. And it's also one of the two sub-elbow arm bones, so called because it rotates around the other one, the ulna. Thanks, Wikipedia! • Spotted: Sail Street, Lambeth, London, SE11, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Vauxhall

Abacus Integrated Systems, Camden: iterations

"Abacus Integrated Systems Ltd" burglar alarm, Camden • Abacus seem to have had about a million different designs and logos, most of which I found studded all over a building in Kings Cross which has just been knocked down. This one looked like the most recent iteration – quite a change from the naive abacus A of yesterday. • Spotted: Britannia Street, Camden, London, WC1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Holborn and St Pancras

Abacus, East Grinstead: depleted

"Abacus" burglar alarm, East Grinstead • Today I move on to maths and computing with the oldest computer of all, an abacus – known to ancient Mesopotamians long before burglar alarm engineers got in on the act. Loving the way the A is actually made out of a (somewhat bead-depleted) abacus on this. • Spotted: London Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, England, 2004 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Sussex Mid

RVTV Security, Chelsea: wibbly

"RVTV Security" burglar alarm, Kensington and Chelsea • More camera techiness, this time with  a TV-themed sounder. At least I assume the unexplained acronym refers to security TV: it's a pretty dull old logo, and the grey globe gives no clue at all. Unless it represents a giant bouncy ball that wibbles out and squashes you, like in The Prisoner. Now that would be a good burglar deterrent. • Spotted: Beauchamp Place, Kensington and Chelsea, London, SW3, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Kensington

Security Surveillance Ltd, Hackney: boom-box

"Security Surveillance Ltd" burglar alarm, Hackney • Finally, a couple of camera-based techy alarms. At least I think this is meant to be a camera, it looks more like an early 1990s boom-box, or some kind of radar gun. • Spotted: Nazrul Street, Hackney, London, E2, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Hackney South and Shoreditch

Alarm 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 Central

Scan, Merton: bubble lettering

"Scan Alarms" burglar alarm, Merton • Dig that crazy bubble lettering – not the world's most sophisticated rendition of the concept of scanning, to be sure. • Spotted: Merton High Street, Merton, London, SW19, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Wimbledon

ACS, Westminster: scary

"ACS" burglar alarm, City of Westminster • Wow, these are impressive all-encircling waveforms, like something from a scary 1950s sci-fi movie. Bring on the theremin music! • Spotted: Duke of York Street, City of Westminster, London, SW1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cities of London and Westminster

Matrix, Aylesbury: waveforms

"Matrix Fire & Security" burglar alarm, Aylesbury • Now for a few sounders which demonstrate their techiness via the medium of waveforms, which here appear to emit from a worryingly low-tech megaphone. • Spotted: Cambridge Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Aylesbury

Communicate, Tower Hamlets: musical

"Communicate Security & Communications" burglar alarm, Tower Hamlets • The term telecoms is beginning to sound a bit old-fashioned: these days we communicate by many online means (though not via burglar alarm, to my knowledge). This musical mauve C looks more like a logo for a caring, sharing PR company, though. • Spotted: Redchurch Street, Tower Hamlets, London, E2, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow

CMR Electrical, Bristol: tiny

"CMR Electrical Telephone Bristol" burglar alarm, Bristol • A tiny, tiny old logo with a giant telephone number. It's too small to make out here, but the logo is a wee house surrounded by a giant chain and keys. • Spotted: Small Street, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West

Tcom, Oxford: abbreviation

"Tcom" burglar alarm, Oxford • An abbreviation for telecom, geddit? And an unexplained acronym, if it stands for anything else. • Spotted: New Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Oxford East

Telecom Security, Southwark: imitation

"Telecom Security" burglar alarm, Southwark • The design of this suggests British Telecom (as was), though I daresay it's flattery by imitation. Again, not sure if it's any relation of yesterday's Telecom Direct. • Spotted: Arches, Ewer Street, Southwark, London, SE1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark

Telecom Security Direct, Camden: striking

"Telecom Security Direct" burglar alarm, Camden • Now we move from tronics to telecoms, also quite a popular technical trope. The word Telecom gets bandied about quite a bit, so not sure if this striking old sounder is the same firm as the later Telecom box featured here. • Spotted: Flask Walk, Camden, London, NW3, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Hampstead and Kilburn

Somer 2000, Bristol: anvil

"Somer 2000" burglar alarm, Bristol • A really unusual name and logo, which looks like a 1980s retro-futurist illustration of a communist-era anvil. However it may go back further than that: the Somer 2000 website informs us that the firm incorporates the vintage-sounding Sutton Transformers, whose logo this seems to be (note the S and T). The former were founded in 1995, the latter in 1975, so I'm not sure where the 2000 comes in (if it was meant to sound futuristic, they underestimated their longevity).  I still think that's an anvil, with the lightning bolts shooting out – perhaps they made their transformers in a forge. • Spotted: Merchants Road, Bristol, Avon, England, 2013 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West

Alarm Services, Stroud: bolt

"Alarm Services" burglar alarm, Stroud • A massive lightning bolt – just the kind of electrical effect you don't want from your sounder... • Spotted: Kendrick Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Stroud

Garfield, Borehamwood: random

"Garfield" burglar alarm, Borehamwood • I can only assume this totally random logo is some kind of wiring schematic. • Spotted: Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Hertsmere

AC Controls, Cambridge: alternating

"AC Controls" burglar alarm, Cambridge • AC as in alternating current, to judge by the waveform. • Spotted: Regent Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of South Cambridgeshire

Westronics Reading, Lambeth: Greek

"Westronics Reading" burglar alarm, Lambeth • Another "tronic" alarm: in fact the word is a Greek suffix referring to a device, tool, or instrument. • Spotted: Lower Marsh, Lambeth, London, SE1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Vauxhall

Steel Tronics, Southend-on-Sea

"Steel Tronics" burglar alarm, Southend-on-Sea • The non-word "tronics" somehow has a retro ring to it, redolent of 1970s-80s hi-fi stores. That said, I quite like this confident leaning logo. • Spotted: Town centre, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Rochford and Southend East

BM Electronics The Alarm Man, East Grinstead: retro

"BM Electronics The Alarm Man" burglar alarm, East Grinstead • An item of retro electronic splendour – they don't make 'em like this any more. • Spotted: London Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, England, 2004 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Sussex Mid

Triton Electronics, Edinburgh: dangerous

"Triton Electronics" burglar alarm, Edinburgh • Triton was the Greek messenger god of the seas. Not sure what that's got to do with electronics – it sounds like a  dangerous mix. • Spotted: Moray Place, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH3, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Edinburgh North and Leith

UK Electrical (Eastern Ltd), Lowestoft: wordy

"UK Electrical (Eastern Ltd) Security Division" burglar alarm, Lowestoft • Not sure if this wordy title is yet another electricity company, or just the name of the security firm. • Spotted: Town centre, Lowestoft, Suffolk, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Waveney

Southern Electric, Islington: 1980s

"Southern Electric Security Systems" burglar alarm, Islington • This is a very 1980s-looking illustration, though I daresay the alarm is more recent. Whether it's the same Southern Electric as this electricity firm – now with very different look – I have no idea. • Spotted: York Way, Islington, London, N1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Islington South and Finsbury

London Electricity, Southwark: plug

"London Electricity Security Systems" burglar alarm, Southwark • Now for a few electronic-themed sounders. You still see quite a few of these London Electricity alarms around, usually pretty faded. Though it remains a familiar logo (a plug made of L and E, geddit?), it's an old one – the firm actually became LEB in 1990. • Spotted: Tyers Gate, Southwark, London, SE1, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark

British Security Technologies, Islington: heartbeat

"British Security Technologies" burglar alarm, Islington • Looks more like a heartbeat monitor (a dirty one). • Spotted: York Way, Islington, London, N1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Islington South and Finsbury

Eurotech, Aylesbury: baton

"Eurotech" burglar alarm, Aylesbury • A very ancient Eurotech; looks like one of those "baton" alarms on its side. • Spotted: Kingsbury, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Aylesbury

Euro Tech, Derby: older

"Euro Tech" burglar alarm, Derby • Don't know if this is the same firm as yesterday's Eurotech; that was one word, this is two. It's older and crapper-looking, that's for sure. • Spotted: Town centre, Derby, Derbyshire, DE1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Derby South

Eurotech, Camden: heady

"Eurotech" burglar alarm, Camden • Ah, the heady days before the Euro crumbled. • Spotted: Covent Garden area, Camden, London, WC2, England, 2004 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Holborn and St Pancras

Altech Security, Lambeth: flag

"Altech Security" burglar alarm, Lambeth • As in All Tech, perhaps? The black "flag" design works well within this delta shape, though it's a bit weird repeating the name twice. And it makes me think of Back Flag cockroach traps (or Roach Motels as they charmingly call them in the USA). • Spotted: Lower Marsh, Lambeth, London, SE1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Vauxhall

Aaron Hi-Tech, Bristol: sad

"Aaron Hi-Tech" burglar alarm, Bristol • Sadly well past its hi-tech days – there are a couple more here. • Spotted: Town centre, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2006 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West

Longtek, Old Coulsdon: mosaic

"Longtek Security Systems" burglar alarm, Old Coulsdon • That's Tek as in Tech, I presume. And a nice mosaic monogram, too. • Spotted: Coulsdon Road, Old Coulsdon, Surrey, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Croydon South

Tritech, Glasgow: thrice

"Tritech Security Systems" burglar alarm, Glasgow • Thrice technical, but not very exciting. • Spotted: Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2, Scotland, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Glasgow Central

Technica Systems, Southwark: technical

"Technica Systems" burglar alarm, Southwark • Perhaps they didn't have enough room to write Technical. The only one of these I've ever found. • Spotted: Borough High Street, Southwark, London, SE1, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark

TEC, Derby: crackers

"TEC" burglar alarm, Derby • They should have called it TUC, like the crackers. They've got a yellow cover, too. • Spotted: Town centre, Derby, Derbyshire, DE1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Derby South

Securitech, Islington: football shirt

"Securitech" burglar alarm, Islington • Today we move from science to technology, one of burglar alarm land's favourite tropes. I really like this striking old design, which looks like a stripy football shirt. • Spotted: Camden Passage, Islington, London, N1, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Islington South and Finsbury

Eco Security Systems, Barnet: ambiguous

“Eco Security Systems” burglar alarm, Barnet • Ambiguous logo which possibly says “ecd”, but for the purposes of this science theme I shall assume says “eco”. And that’s the last […]

Ecolarm, Cirencester: dismal

“Ecolarm Swindon” burglar alarm, Cirencester • Even if “Eco” here stands for economy rather than ecology, I think it’s fair to include it under the science theme – after all, […]

Rayitson, Southwark: particles

“Rayitson” burglar alarm, Southwark • OK, this isn’t actually scientific. But it incorporates the word “ray”, and has a logo that looks like something particle-based is going on, so I […]

Prism, Lambeth: refraction

"Prism" burglar alarm, Lambeth • A transparent object which refracts light, from ancient Greek prisma, meaning "something sawed". Also featured on the cover of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" LP, which this resembles. • Spotted: Sail Street, Lambeth, London, SE11, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Vauxhall

Laser, Cardiff: whiz-bang

“Laser” burglar alarm, Cardiff • Another great laser logo, though a bit more whiz-bang than yesterday’s. • Spotted: Quay Street, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales, 2012 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat […]

Laser Alarms, Westminster: acronym

"Laser Alarms" burglar alarm, City of Westminster • Acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. And a very nice logo (seriously). • Spotted: Great Portland Street, City of Westminster, London, W1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cities of London and Westminster

Quantum Security, Camden: packets

“Quantum Security” burglar alarm, Camden • Basically a discrete energy packet, from the Latin for “quantus,” meaning “how much”. Although the logo looks more like the planet Saturn. • Spotted: Parkway, […]

Xtal, Merton: crystal

“Xtal” burglar alarm, Merton • Xtal is an abbreviation for crystal. There’s another Xtal alarm here. • Spotted: Merton Road, Merton, London, SW19, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Conservative […]

Zenon, Camden: noble

“Zenon” burglar alarm, Camden • As Zenon isn’t an actual English word, I can only assume this refers to its homophone Xenon, the noble gas with symbol Xe and atomic number […]

Radium, Liverpool: lethal

“Radium” burglar alarm, Liverpool • Chemical element with symbol Ra and atomic number 88; highly radioactive and unstable, it emits a blue glow, and did for Marie Curie. Not sure […]

Mercury, Nottingham: quicksilver

“Mercury” burglar alarm, Nottingham • Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80, known as quicksilver. Not to mention being a planet, a Roman god, […]

Cobalt, Walton-On-Thames: pigment

"Cobalt" burglar alarm, Walton-On-Thames • Starting today: scientific sounders. Cobalt is a chemical element with symbol Co and atomic number 27, used to make blue pigment since antiquity. And a burglar alarm company. • Spotted: New Zealand Avenue, Walton-On-Thames, Surrey, KT12, England, 2002 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Esher and Walton

Eke Security, Stroud: eek!

"Eke Security" burglar alarm, Stroud • Eek! Vertical and horizontal in a little cross. I wonder if EKE is an unexplained acronym, or  a standalone name. • Spotted: High Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Stroud

NSIN, Oxford: catchy

"Nationwide Security Installation Network" burglar alarm, Oxford • Catchy acronym, not. I wonder if it actually was nationwide? I daresay someone will tell me. • Spotted: Cornmarket, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Oxford East

Security Red Alert, Lambeth: wiring

"Security Red Alert" burglar alarm, Lambeth • Nice wiring! Not, to be fair, related to the bellbox. • Spotted: Baylis Road, Lambeth, London, SE1, England, 2005 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Vauxhall

Southern Electrical Services, Westminster: SES

"Southern Electrical Services Gerrards Cross" burglar alarm, City of Westminster • SES, not quite as famous as the SAS. • Spotted: Berners Street, City of Westminster, London, W1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cities of London and Westminster