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: Heraldry
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
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
“ATA Systems”, Bristol: intricate
Posted by on January 22, 2013
“ATA Systems Protegimus” burglar alarm, Bristol • Not sure if this is related to yesterday’s ATA – the trestle-tabley monogram’s quite similar, if somewhat ambiguous as to whether it says AA or ATA. The surrounds, however, are vastly more intricate: a heraldic array of shield, crossed swords, scary cyclops eye, what looks like a maltese cross poking out from behind, and all supported with a scroll bearing the Harry Potteresque declamation “Protegimus” (we protect). Leaving nothing to chance, then. • Spotted: Nova Scotia Place, Bristol, Avon, BS1, England, 2013 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Bristol West
Ghost under “A1 Security”, Norwich: lurking
Posted by on November 8, 2012
Ghost under “A1 Security Protecting the Community Norwich” burglar alarm, Norwich • Another one I’ve shown before, but not obvious in that post was the ghostly wire-sharing hexagon lurking behind it. No prizes for guessing the ex-make. • Spotted: Town centre, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Norwich South
“Amco”, Camden: military badge
Posted by on September 7, 2012
“Amco” burglar alarm, Camden • I suppose AMCO stands for Alarm Monitoring Co. But what of the Harry Potterish legend “Superna petamus”, which doesn’t, as the petals in the middle would suggest, mean “always flowering”? Well, the slightly different “Superna Petimus” means “We seek higher things”, and is the motto of RAF Cranwell, where RAF officers are trained. This spelling, I think, means “let us seek higher things”, and though AMCO’s logo doesn’t look like RAF Cranwell’s coat of arms, it does resemble a British military badge. So endeth a super-category started several weeks ago, namely militia. And now, as Monty Python famously said, for something completely different… • Spotted: Goodge Place, Camden, London, W1, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Holborn and St Pancras
“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
“Berkeley Guard”, Oxford: well posh
Posted by on August 31, 2012
“Berkeley Guard” burglar alarm, Oxford • Berkeley has connotations of something really rich, doesn’t it? Like a hedge fund, or a property portfolio. So I looked up Berkeley Guard on the internet, and lo and behold, the company was “founded in 1982 by Julian Berkeley, second son of Sir Lennox Berkeley, musician and composer” – proving yet again that there are quite a lot of Sirs in burglar alarm land, even if only peripherally. Incidentally, Julian’s brother Michael presents the Sunday morning show Private Passions (a kind of upmarket an upmarket Desert Island Discs) on Radio 3 – so a posh burglar alarm indeed. • Spotted: Queen Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Oxford East
“A1 Security”, Norwich: traffic cops
Posted by on August 30, 2012
“A1 Security Protecting the Community Norwich” burglar alarm, Norwich • This piece of DIY heraldry conjures up the police force with its badge, checkers, and ribband reading “Protecting the community”. But they’re obviously not traffic cops, as the A1 – aka Britain’s longest numbered road – doesn’t go anywhere near Norwich. A name chosen to rise to the top of the phone directory, then. • Spotted: Town centre, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Norwich South
“PJ Alarms”, Chichester: zzzzzzz
Posted by on August 29, 2012
“PJ Alarms We Protect Security Systems” burglar alarm, Chichester • PJ as in pyjamas? Zzzzzzz. • Spotted: Town centre, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19, England, 2009 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Chichester
“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
“Hadleigh Security”, Tower Hamlets: crane and cockles
Posted by on August 24, 2012
“Hadleigh Security” burglar alarm, Tower Hamlets • Now we merge from shields into heraldry, where the shield is just part of an overall coat of arms, albeit probably a made-up one. This one has what appears to be a crane coming out of its helmet and balloons raining down on cockles, owned perhaps by the lord of some Cockney manor. The name makes me think of Tony “Foghorn” Hadley out of Spandau Ballet, recently heard tooting out the excellent “Gold” over many an Olympics TV show. Speaking of which, most of White Post Lane got eaten up by the Olympics, so I doubt this sounder is there any more. • Spotted: White Post Lane, Tower Hamlets, London, E9, England, 2006 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow
“Alarm Call Ltd”, Exeter: parti-coloured
Posted by on August 23, 2012
“Alarm Call Ltd” burglar alarm, Exeter • Parti-colored is I think the correct term here. It’s redolent of horse racing colours, a rubbish football team (ie Crystal Palace in the olden days), and heraldry. Which is exactly where we’re heading next. • Spotted: Town centre, Exeter, Devon, EX1, England, 2009 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Exeter
“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
“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
“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
“Ambassador”, Tower Hamlets: final shield
Posted by on June 10, 2012
“Ambassador Security Group” burglar alarm, Tower Hamlets • A later Ambassador than yesterday’s, this bears their final simplified shield logo, as also seen fading away on the Secom-style box discussed in the comments here. Ambassadors always end up as knights, and the heraldic shield of course also refers to knights. Thus, uncoincidentally, the theme for tomorrow is “knighthood”. • Spotted: Coventry Road, Tower Hamlets, London, E2, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow
“Ambassador”, East Grinstead: fancy diplomacy
Posted by on June 9, 2012
“Ambassador” burglar alarm, East Grinstead • With this fancy logo, Ambassador, you are spoiling us. In real life, an ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation, and this fine heraldic logo matches up. Faded Ambassador sounders of many types bearing this shield still abound, although the company itself exists no longer, as the comments here diplomatically explain. • Spotted: Middle Row, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19, England, 2004 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Sussex Mid
“Premier Security Systems”, Camden: Old Labour
Posted by on June 4, 2012
“Premier Security Systems” burglar alarm, Camden • A stolid red shield from a left-wing constituency – surely an Old Labour premier. Not that there’s been one of those in a long time. • Spotted: New Oxford Street, Camden, London, WC1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Holborn and St. Pancras
“Challenger”, Brighton: strong-arm tactics
Posted by on May 2, 2012
“Challenger Security Products” burglar alarm, Brighton • More heraldic gauntlet than hand, on a medieval coat of arms this striking fist would have symbolised strength, power, and loyalty. On a modern burglar alarm, it looks rather like the logo for a tiny authoritarian state – and seems to promise the strong-arm tactic of a punch somewhere sensitive. • Spotted: Arundel Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2, England, 2010 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Brighton Kemptown
“Arlescourt Security”, Camden: hand of glory
Posted by on May 1, 2012
“Arlescourt Security” burglar alarm, Camden • Severed hands are a popular image on burglar alarms, and quite apart from reminding thieves what appendage they might lose under sharia law, it’s an ancient symbol with many connotations. The heraldic hand on this fine vintage sounder is grimly gripping a key in the manner of the Lady of the Lake brandishing Excalibur from her watery depths. It recalls the folkloric “Hand of Glory” – the dried and pickled mitt of a hanged felon, believed in medieval Europe to have the power to unlock any door it came across. There are grisly if contested examples in Whitby and Walsall museums, and a couple of mentions in Harry Potter. It’s all most appropriate for a firm whose name sounds like something straight out of Camelot. • Spotted: New Oxford Street, Camden, London, WC1, England, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Holborn and St Pancras
Hands of Glory: left, a medieval version, and right, Whitby Museum's example
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