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: Creature
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
Bell Alarms, Glasgow: angular
Posted by on March 21, 2013
“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 Central
Fife Alarms, Edinburgh: shrieky
Posted by on March 20, 2013
“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
Posted by on January 19, 2013
“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
Posted by on December 31, 2012
“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
Posted by on September 6, 2012
“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
Posted by on September 5, 2012
“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
Posted by on September 4, 2012
“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
Posted by on September 3, 2012
“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 Deptford
Sheba Alarms”, Southwark: non-rottweiller
Posted by on September 2, 2012
“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
Posted by on September 1, 2012
“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
Posted by on August 28, 2012
“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
Posted by on August 27, 2012
“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
Posted by on August 26, 2012
“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
Posted by on August 25, 2012
“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
Posted by on July 8, 2012
“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
Posted by on July 2, 2012
“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
Posted by on June 16, 2012
“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
Posted by on June 15, 2012
“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
Posted by on June 14, 2012
“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
Posted by on June 13, 2012
“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
Posted by on June 12, 2012
“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
Posted by on May 17, 2012
“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
Posted by on April 27, 2012
“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
Posted by on April 24, 2012
“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
Posted by on April 23, 2012
“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 Colford in 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
Posted by on March 17, 2012
“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
“GD Security”, Southwark: un-describable wedgie
Posted by on March 12, 2012
“GD Security” burglar alarm, Southwark • Another wedgie sounder with an un-describable shape, from the prolific GD Security, whose bulldog I’ve already featured here in the dogs category. While their guard mutt never changes, GD use a wide variety of box designs, usually in silver. This however is in blue and white, which I always think of as subliminal “police” colours. • Spotted: Morocco Street, Southwark, London, SE1, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark
“Pointer”, Derby: pocket dog
Posted by on February 23, 2012
“Pointer” burglar alarm, Derby • I’ve already featured a couple of Pointers, but this is by far the most recent – and the only example of this slightly “pocketty” shape of sounder I’ve ever come across. I still like the cute mutt logo, now in a smart silver roundel. • Spotted: Town centre, Derby, Derbyshire, DE1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Derby South
“Crime Cure”, Bristol: vintage inverted pocket
Posted by on February 5, 2012
“Crime Cure” burglar alarm, Bristol • This is an absolutely classic sounder, and it makes me chuckle every time I see it. I found it at eye level in downown Bristol, the city that never stops giving great burglar alarm gifts. Everything about it, from my shallow design-based point of view, is good: it’s vintage metal; an unusual “inverted pocket” shape (though I have found one other); rare use of green; amusing name in bold modernist type; and a complex piece of heraldry incorporating eight popular security tropes in a tiny space, namely lions, keys, an eye, a padlock, some bars, a shield, a castle, and even a motto – “protect and deter”. An internet search on “crime cure security” throws up firms in business listings all over the place, including Bristol, but as none have their own websites I’m assuming they’re all defunct.• Spotted: High Street, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2011 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West
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