Disclaimer This blog is about the graphic design of burglar alarms and has no connection with the companies featured. Most photos show vintage sounders and are not the latest products of the firms under discussion. For up-to-date info on any company, please visit their official website.
Burglar Alarm Britain
Where vigilante culture meets vernacular design
Category Archives: Fortification
Crime Cure, Bristol: old fave
Posted by on May 17, 2013
“Crime Cure” burglar alarm, Bristol • Update of an old favourite, as featured here. Where’s the house? It’s surrounding the massively complex heraldic device. • Spotted: The Arcade, Horsefair, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2013 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West
Wimpey Security, Southwark: reflected
Posted by on May 12, 2013
“Wimpey Security Systems Monitored Alarm” burglar alarm, Southwark • Another arrow-house, this time reflected into an angular crenellated shield. • Spotted: Glasshill Street, Southwark, London, SE1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Ghost under “Krypto Security”, Westminster: enormo
Posted by on November 9, 2012
Ghost under “Krypto Security” burglar alarm, City of Westminster • This boxy enormo-ghost suggests it may have been a vintage sounder preceding the Krypto. Maybe even another Krypto, they were a long-running firm. • Spotted: Mortimer Street, City of Westminster, London, W1, England, 2001 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cities of London and Westminster
“Countryside Security”, Camden: chivalric turrets
Posted by on August 1, 2012
“Countryside Security” burglar alarm, Camden • The final fortified sounder for now, again a turreted shield. I have tried in vain to find a heraldic meaning for this, but even the superb (to graphic designers) compendium of shields at International Heraldry doesn’t have an example. However I did learn that there’s a mythical class of heraldic device called “abatements of dishonour”, which symbolise dodgy things the coat of arms’ owner may have done, including elements representing boasting, drunkenness, adultery, and “taking advantage of a maiden against her will”. None of which involve turrets, happily, so we can assume that Countryside Security are honourable beacons of chivalry. • Spotted: Bloomsbury Way, Camden, London, WC2, England, 2006 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Holborn and St Pancras
“Independent Security Contracts”, Islington: encrusted
Posted by on July 31, 2012
“Independent Security Contracts Ltd” burglar alarm, Islington • Another embattled shield, encrusted with names: “Security ISC 24 Independent Contractors Ltd” if read in an attempt at logical order. While googling around to find out what this kind of shield represents in heraldry, I learnt the much more interesting fact that Sir Paul McCartney has a totally bonkers coat of arms, which incorporates an abstract guitar – it took him years to get it designed. The tenuous link with ISC is that it’s in roughly the same colours. Um, well gold and black v yellow and dark green – I said it was tenuous. • Spotted: Camden Passage, Islington, London, N1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Islington South and Finsbury
“Securi-Guard”, Fowey: slimy shield
Posted by on July 30, 2012
“Securi-Guard” burglar alarm, Fowey • So, now we move on to fortifications on shields, combining the popular tropes of militia and aristocracy. It’s amazing the label in question is still attached, because this wins the prize for the slimiest burglar alarm I’ve ever found. It’s on a wave-lashed quayside building in Fowey, Cornwall, famed for being a) hard to say (it’s pronounced “foy”, to rhyme with “toy”) and b) where the novelist Daphne du Maurier lived. She wrote eerie, suspenseful stories such as The Birds, Jamaica Inn and Don’t Look Now (all since made into scary films), so perhaps there’s a giant pecky bird or stabby red-coated dwarf lurking behind that castellated wall. • Spotted: Town Quay, Fowey, Cornwall, PL23, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of St. Austell and Newquay
“Absolute Security”, East Grinstead: bricky battlements
Posted by on July 29, 2012
“Absolute Security (Surrey)” burglar alarm, East Grinstead • Is it just my imagination, or are there a disproportionately high number of militia-related alarms in the deep Surrey “stockbroker belt” (quaint term in these days of rapacious bankers) of Dorking and East Grinstead? Whatever, this faded sounder showing two bricky little battlements was old when I photographed it in 2004, so I reckoned the company wouldn’t be around any more. But an internet search throws up an Absolute Security in Surrey of 20 years standing, so despite a distinct lack of fortifications on their website, I reckon it’s the same firm. • Spotted: Middle Row, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19, England, 2004 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Sussex Mid
“Rampart”, Oxford: battlement, surely?
Posted by on July 28, 2012
“Rampart” burglar alarm, Oxford • This is more like it, a Rampart showing actual ramparts. Although to be pedantic about it, these look more like battlements or crenellations (aka the blocky bits on the top of castles through which to shoot arrows) whereas ramparts are defensive walls. This looks like quite a recent burglar alarm, but I can’t find Rampart on the internet except on business listing sites – usually a sign that a firm doesn’t trade any more. • Spotted: Park End Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Oxford East
“Rampart Security”, St Albans: un-illustrated
Posted by on July 27, 2012
“Rampart Security” burglar alarm, St Albans • Apart from Bastion, this is the only fortification alarm featured that doesn’t actually picture its defences. It’s pasted over a vintage Shorrock, unless I’m very much mistaken – although of a type I’ve not featured yet, I’m surprised to discover. (Update: as the comment below suggests, this is in fact a Securiplace alarm – similar box, colour and initials, hence my confusion.) • Spotted: Town centre, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of St Albans
“Soundandsafe.com”, Westminster: Martello tower
Posted by on July 26, 2012
“Soundandsafe.com” burglar alarm, City of Westminster • This 2002-founded firm is most unusual in having a URL for a name – and that definitely is their name, as it’s the same on their website. Dotcoms don’t seem to have much to do with olde worlde turrets, but it’s a nice logo anyway, like a marooned Martello tower floating in a sea of dark blue plastic. And I bet it lights up at night. • Spotted: Wells Street, City of Westminster, London, W1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cities of London and Westminster
“CSS”, Shoreham-by-Sea: cryptic castle
Posted by on July 25, 2012
“CSS” burglar alarm, Shoreham-by-Sea • I wonder if the mysterious unexplained acronym behind this chess-style castle is the same CSS as Crown Security Services? Probably not, or the sounder would depict a crown rather than a fortress. • Spotted: Town centre, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43, England, 2005 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Worthing West
“Fortress Alarms”, Aylesbury: missing portcullis
Posted by on July 24, 2012
“Fortress Alarms” burglar alarm, Aylesbury • Even though the portcullis appears to have fallen off, and the fortress seems to be actively inviting burglars in, I liked this one so much I used it in my masthead (above). • Spotted: High Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Aylesbury
“Citadel”, York: Pooterish connection
Posted by on July 23, 2012
“Citadel” burglar alarm, York • In the curiously timeless 1892 comic novel Diary of a Nobody, “my own citadel” was how Mr Pooter grandiosely described his home, a modest Victorian villa constantly rattled by passing trains. Not so different from where I found this, then: and if burglar alarms been invented in his day, Mr Pooter would definitely have had one. • Spotted: Bootham Crescent, York, Yorkshire, YO3, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of York Central
“Bastion Protec Systems”, Dorking: defensible space
Posted by on July 22, 2012
“Bastion Protec Systems” burglar alarm, Dorking • One of the very few “defensible space” sounders without an image on it, the name Bastion helpfully sums up all the alarms in this section. A bastion is literally a pointy bit of fortification that pokes out from castles and the like, but figuratively means a stronghold of some kind. As it happens I really like this logo: 1970s disco it may be, but it’s sensitively designed in classic style, and looks like it was done by a professional. • Spotted: Town centre, Dorking, Surrey, RH4, England, 2006 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Mole Valley
“Castle Security”, Bristol: chess-style
Posted by on July 21, 2012
“Castle Security” burglar alarm, Bristol • Oh dear, a pair of very sad and stained old chess-style castles, with even the contact number snipped off (at least, that’s what I assume the gap between them is). Probably nothing to do yesterday’s Castle – it must be an extremely popular name. Yet another anonymous throwback from the enormous burglar alarm mortuary that is Bristol. • Spotted: Town centre, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2006 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West
“Castle Security” burglar alarm: Caledonian Camelot
Posted by on July 20, 2012
“Castle Security Group Ltd” burglar alarm • A proud flag-flying Caledonian Camelot with 1970s disco lettering, though the mound it’s on looks more suited to a sandcastle. This must be a big firm north of the border, as I saw variations on this bell box design all over Edinburgh. (Visits website helpfully trailed on alarm.) Yes, they’ve been “securing East Central Scotland since 1981″, and the website is a veritable playground of animations and sound effects – I had minutes of fun running my cursor up and down the menu. Castle is a clever name for burglar alarms, if you think about it: not just because an Englishman’s (and it seems a Scotsman’s) home is his castle, but castles have keeps – and sounders warn you to keep out. Positively Shakespearean. • Spotted: Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Edinburgh East
“Krypto Security”, Lambeth: Dracula’s castle
Posted by on July 19, 2012
“Krypto Security” burglar alarm, Lambeth • Yet another Krypto – I love Krypto sounders. Especially this nicely-drawn design, which sports a proper turreted castle (unlike yesterday’s prisony thing) and spooky gothic lettering, complete with dripping mould. It looks more like an advert for Dracula than a sounder. Oh, and it was found in a road with Marsh in its name, like yesterday’s – boggy ground is obviously a popular location for Krypto’s creepy castles. • Spotted: Lower Marsh, Lambeth, London, SE1, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Vauxhall
“Krypto Security”, Newham: swept away
Posted by on July 18, 2012
“Krypto Security” burglar alarm, Newham • Mr Krypto, your fortified portcullis is of no use here – it didn’t keep out the Olympics, which have now swamped Marshgate Lane where I found you, sweeping you and your equally faded sounder brethren away on a tide of G4S-”protected” new-build. • Spotted: Marshgate Lane, Newham, London, E15, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of West Ham
“Krypto Security”, Westminster: turret-shaped
Posted by on July 17, 2012
“Krypto Security” burglar alarm, City of Westminster • And so we segue seamlessly from portcullises to fortifications in general – castles, fortresses, ramparts and so on. This looks like an old-style prison, which would be apt, but because I have seen other versions of Krypto’s logo (coming soon), I know it’s a castle. But what stands out here is the turret-shaped sounder – I wonder whether the logo was designed to fit it, or vice versa? I’ve never seen any other similarly-shaped sounders in the UK, though I have abroad. I’m not sad enough to snap burglar alarms on holiday, however – well, not often – so I don’t have pictorial proof. • Spotted: New Cavendish Street, City of Westminster, London, W1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cities of London and Westminster
“Baymont Alarms”, York: city wall
Posted by on July 16, 2012
“Baymont Alarms York” burglar alarm, York • At last, a portcullis attached to an actual, realistic building: a bit of York’s ancient city walls, no doubt, or some local fortress. I thought Baymont sounded like a place, but it doesn’t seem to be, so maybe it’s someone’s name. • Spotted: Bootham Crescent, York, Yorkshire, YO3, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of York Central
“National Security”, Tower Hamlets: lock ‘em all up
Posted by on July 15, 2012
“National Security” burglar alarm, Tower Hamlets • Oooer, this is a bit foreboding: a tall, harshly-lit tower casting the menacing shadow of a portcullis. Punningly, it’s in Tower Hamlets – and it’s national, too! Lock ‘em all up, that’s what I say. • Spotted: Brushfield Street, Tower Hamlets, London, E1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow
“Allied Security”, Southwark: faded fortress
Posted by on July 14, 2012
“Allied Security” burglar alarm, Southwark • Like Safeguard Alarms, another shield / fortress / portcullis combo, with a name that earns it honorary inclusion in the WWII category too. I guess this is a pretty old sounder, as it looks really faded, but Allied Security is still going strong. • Spotted: Bermondsey Street, Southwark, London, SE1, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark
“Sentry Alarms”, Newquay: wasp-waisted
Posted by on July 13, 2012
“Sentry Alarms” burglar alarm, Newquay • Simpler than but similar to yesterday’s Safeguard Alarms design, and equally nice: a wasp-waisted fortress-plus-portcullis combo, with combat-ready stencil type. And like yesterday’s too, it’s situated on brutalist pebbledash: apt, as brutalism is a style of architecture which overtly references bastions and fortresses. Sentries are such a popular alarm trope I’ll feature a whole run of them soon; but I can’t find a firm with this specific logo on the internet. • Spotted: Bank Street, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of St. Austell and Newquay
“Safeguard Alarms”, Oxford: two-tone
Posted by on July 12, 2012
“Safeguard Alarms” burglar alarm, Oxford • I was wading grumpily through Oxford’s irritating throngs of meandering coach parties and pillocks on pushbikes, when this unusual alarm, on the side of a massive brutalist building next to the tacky remains of an actual castle, cheered me up a bit. It offers triple security: a shield, a fortress and a portcullis – plus a suggestion of safety by day and night, a towering dungeon, and even possibly a nod to the 2-Tone ska movement of the early 1980s (in my tortured imagination, anyway). Turns out Safeguard Alarms are a genuine family-run firm, founded in 1969 – nice logo! • Spotted: New Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Oxford East
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