Burglar Alarm Britain

Where vigilante culture meets vernacular design

Category Archives: 2007

Safe Homes, Lowestoft: diagonal

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on May 16, 2013

“Safe Homes” burglar alarm, Lowestoft • Incorporating awkward diagonal logo. • Spotted: Town centre, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Waveney

2 initials, 2007, Awkward diagonal logo, Building, Conservative Party, Delta, House, Illustrated, Monogram, Stylised graphic burglar alarm, graphic design, Lowestoft, politics, Suffolk, surveillance

Zodiac Security, Camden: big Z

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on April 17, 2013

“Zodiac Security” burglar alarm, Camden • No big Y (oh why oh why?), but here’s a stonking Z to end; there’s another Zodiac Security sounder here. That’s enough big letters; tomorrow, cities. • Spotted: Finchley Road, Camden, London, NW3, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Hampstead and Kilburn

1 initial, 2007, 2010, 3 initials, Astrology, Heptagon, Initial-based, Labour Party, One big letter, Rectangle, Typographic, Unexplained acronym burglar alarm, Camden, graphic design, London, NW3, politics, surveillance

Telecom Alarms Ltd, Islington: big T

1 Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on April 14, 2013

“Telecom Alarms Ltd” burglar alarm, Islington • The strangely named (I always think) Telecom alarms has a boring logo, but at least it contains a big T. • Spotted: Clerkenwell Green, Islington, London, EC1, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Islington South and Finsbury

1 initial, 2007, Com and Co, Initial-based, Labour Party, One big letter, Rectangle, Science and Technology, Typographic burglar alarm, EC1, graphic design, Islington, London, politics, surveillance

Securus, Lowestoft: Big S

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on April 13, 2013

“Securus Alarm” burglar alarm, Lowestoft • Great old sounder with a big S and a clever name: as well as sounding like ”Secure Us”, Securus is also Latin for fearless, or untroubled (I shall overlook its other meaning of careless or negligent). • Spotted: Town centre, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Waveney

1 initial, 2007, Bulb, Classical, Conservative Party, Initial-based, Latin, One big letter, Other connotations, Rectangle, Typographic burglar alarm, graphic design, Lowestoft, politics, Suffolk, surveillance

Grange, Great Missenden: big G

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on April 5, 2013

“Grange” burglar alarm, Great Missenden • There are no big Fs, so we jump straight to a giant G. This one is remarkably similar to the big C of Camguard. • Spotted: Town centre, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Chesham and Amersham

1 initial, 2007, Building, Christian, Conservative Party, Delta, Initial-based, One big letter, Religion, Typographic Buckinghamshire, burglar alarm, graphic design, Great Missenden, politics, surveillance

Vocal Vale, Norwich: choral

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on March 15, 2013

“Vocal Vale Great Yarmouth” burglar alarm, Norwich • Another classical music reference, with another double initial, and again found in Norwich – I wonder if it’s related to yesterday’s Sonata Security? Conjures up Welsh miners singing in a valley (or something). • Spotted: Town centre, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Norwich South

2 initials, 2007, Audio, Delta, Geographic, Lib-Dem Party, Local, Music, Typographic burglar alarm, graphic design, Norfolk, Norwich, politics, surveillance

Sonata Security, Norwich: tuneful

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on March 14, 2013

“Sonata Security” burglar alarm, Norwich • I’ve featured a lot of sound and music-based alarms without ever having a dedicated category (apart from bells), so here’s one now. Sonata is rather a tuneful concept for a sounder, and look how the double S makes a kind of snakey heart… very upmarket. The only other classical music reference I’ve come across so far is Berkeley Guard, run by the scion of a famous composer. • Spotted: Town centre, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Liberal Democrat constituency of Norwich South

2 initials, 2007, Audio, Lib-Dem Party, Monogram, Music, Rectangle, SS, Typographic burglar alarm, graphic design, Norfolk, Norwich, politics, surveillance

“Decorum”, Camden: genteel

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on February 18, 2013

“Decorum Alarms” burglar alarm, Camden • Surely the most genteel name for a burglar alarm firm ever, and appropriate for the decorous Hampstead borders where I found it. Should belong in a posh little sub-genre with Kudos from Bath, which featured right at the start of this blog, and which has the same type of clock-radio-alike sounder. • Spotted: Finchley Road, Camden, London, NW3, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Hampstead and Kilburn

2 initials, 2007, Classical, Excellence, Illustrated, Labour Party, Latin, Monogram, Rectangle, Shield, Stylised graphic burglar alarm, Camden, graphic design, London, NW3, politics, surveillance

“Simply Quality”, Camden: scrolled

2 Comments Posted by Vici MacDonald on February 2, 2013

“Simply Quality Security Systems” burglar alarm, Camden • I love this – the utterly boasty claim “simply quality”, with a faux woodcut of a ribbon-bound scroll of excellence. Being a sad old graphic designer, I actually recognise it as a bit of early 1990s computer clip-art, no doubt intended for graduation invitations. • Spotted: Finchley Road, Camden, London, NW3, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Hampstead and Kilburn

2007, Drawing, Excellence, Favourite, Illustrated, Labour Party, Rectangle burglar alarm, Camden, graphic design, London, NW3, politics, surveillance

“Management Security Services”, Lowestoft: twisted

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on January 29, 2013

“Management Security Services” burglar alarm, Lowestoft • It’s a bit faded, but this MSS monogram is so tortuously twisted it looks like a piece of modern art. MSS also stands for “manuscript”, as do the initials of Midland Security Systems, who I haven’t featured yet (but will soon). • Spotted: Town centre, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Waveney

2007, 3 initials, Arrow, Conservative Party, Delta, Illustrated, Monogram, Stylised graphic burglar alarm, graphic design, Lowestoft, politics, Suffolk, surveillance

“Timelight”, Cirencester: three-letter

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on January 15, 2013

“Timelight Services” burglar alarm, Cirencester • Both a reference to time and a three-letter monogram, which will be the next theme. Though what Timelight actually means, I have no idea. • Spotted: Town centre, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cotswolds

2007, 3 initials, Conservative Party, Initial-based, Monogram, Rectangle burglar alarm, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, graphic design, politics, surveillance

“AGE”, Great Missenden: slow response

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on January 11, 2013

“AGE Security Aylesbury” burglar alarm, Great Missenden • Hope they didn’t have to wait an age for a response, ha ha – lthough I think they will now, as I can find no evidence this firm is still trading. Presumably the initials actually stand for Aylesbury something-or-other. • Spotted: Town centre, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Chesham and Amersham

2007, 3 initials, Basic, Boring, Conservative Party, Geographic, Initial-based, Local, Rectangle, Time, Typographic, Unexplained acronym Buckinghamshire, burglar alarm, graphic design, Great Missenden, politics, surveillance

“Day 2 Day”, Tower Hamlets: non-satirical

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on January 4, 2013

“Day 2 Day Security Services Ltd” burglar alarm, Tower Hamlets • A label cut out and affixed to a “UK plug” shaped box. Presumably not a reference to classic TV news satire The Day Today. • Spotted: Redchurch Street, Tower Hamlets, London, E2, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow

2007, Delta, Labour Party, Time, Typographic, Uncommon shape burglar alarm, E2, graphic design, London, politics, surveillance, Tower Hamlets

“24-7″, Great Missenden: sleepy

2 Comments Posted by Vici MacDonald on January 2, 2013

“24-7″ burglar alarm, Great Missenden • Phew! A sounder that operates 24 hours a day as opposed to, say, just school hours. Unless this means 24 minus 7, which is 17 hours operation a day, allowing already-sleepy Great Missenden even more snores. Notable for being the first numbers-only logo featured, and a nice design even though it does remind me of a cooker timer. • Spotted: Town centre, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Chesham and Amersham

2007, Conservative Party, Illustrated, Rectangle, Stylised graphic, Time Buckinghamshire, burglar alarm, Great Missenden, politics, surveillance

“Town & Country”, Great Missenden: cop clamp

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on December 27, 2012

“Town & Country” burglar alarm, Great Missenden • This is brilliant – a T and C made out of a clamp, looking like the opening titles for a 1970s cop show. Perhaps not strictly a monogram as it’s part of a larger logo, but a top design anyway. The 1983-founded Town & Country’s website shows they still boast the T&C clamp on everything from sounders to vans, now in resplendent 3D red. • Spotted: Town centre, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Chesham and Amersham

2 initials, 2007, Clamp, Conservative Party, Favourite, Geographic, Illustrated, Initial-based, Locksmithery, Monogram, Rectangle, Rural, Stylised graphic, Urban Buckinghamshire, burglar alarm, graphic design, Great Missenden, politics, postaday, surveillance

“TH White”, Marlborough: vintage brand

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on December 25, 2012

“TH White” burglar alarm, Marlborough • In lieu of a white Christmas, here’s a White burglar alarm. It bears a classic monogram of the kind popular in the 1920s or even earlier, and the name T.H White has a good old-fashioned ring to it too. So imagine my surprise when, researching this, I discovered that T.H. White Group is a £90m Wiltshire firm with a finger in pies ranging from agriculture to storage, not to mention burglar alarms. They even publish a company magazine! And they were founded in Devizes in 1832, so maybe their logo is even older than it looks. Hmm, this monogram theme is turning up some truly vintage brands. • Spotted: Town centre, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Devizes

2007, 3 initials, Conservative Party, Delta, Initial-based, Monogram, Typographic, White burglar alarm, graphic design, Marlborough, politics, postaday, surveillance, Wiltshire

“Roding”, Tower Hamlets: wasteland

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on December 4, 2012

“Roding Security Services” burglar alarm, Tower Hamlets • Another river-cum-creek, the Roding weaves through Essex before reaching the Thames via Barking Creek and Creekmouth, crossing a strange industrial wasteland that’s been the subject of both literature (Iain Sinclair’s psychogeographic ramblings) and art (Jock McFadyen’s vast bleak paintings). But what’s that in comparison to being immortalised on a burglar alarm? • Spotted: Brick Lane, Tower Hamlets, London, E1, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow

Above: the River Roding, just before reaching the Thames at Barking

2007, Audio, Geographic, Illustrated, Labour Party, Local, Rectangle, River, Soundwaves, Stylised graphic burglar alarm, E1, graphic design, London, politics, postaday, surveillance, Tower Hamlets

Ghost under “A1 Security”, Norwich: lurking

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald 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

2 initials, 2007, Ex-alarm, Geographic, Ghost, Heraldry, Hexagon, Illustrated, Lib-Dem Party, Local, Militia, Rectangle, Shield, Stylised graphic burglar alarm, graphic design, Norfolk, Norwich, politics, postaday, surveillance

Ghost under “3D”, Lambeth: usurped

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on November 3, 2012

Ghost under “3D Security Systems” burglar alarm, Lambeth • This faint ghost-shadow is pentagonal, which means it’s either an occult symbol, or the final traces of a Shorrock. As for the usurping brand 3D, its initials are clearly meant to suggest three dimensions, but also have the less marketing-friendly meaning of “third”. • Spotted: Lower Marsh, Lambeth, London, SE1, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Vauxhall

1970s disco, 2 initials, 2007, Delta, Ex-alarm, Ghost, Heptagon, Illustrated, Initial-based, Labour Party, Other connotations, Stylised graphic burglar alarm, graphic design, Lambeth, London, politics, postaday, SE1, surveillance

Ghost under “Chubb”, Camden: supplanted

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on November 1, 2012

Ghost under “Chubb” burglar alarm, Camden • Away with you, six-sided ADT (or possibly Modern). You have been supplanted by the mighty three-cornered Chubb. • Spotted: Kilburn High Road, Camden, London, NW6, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Hampstead and Kilburn

2007, Blue, Ex-alarm, Ghost, Hexagon, Labour Party, Monochrome, One big letter, Triangle, Typographic burglar alarm, Camden, graphic design, London, NW6, politics, postaday, surveillance

Ghost under “ADT”, Tower Hamlets: last gasp

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on October 31, 2012

Ghost under “ADT” burglar alarm, Tower Hamlets • Now onto ghost alarms that have been cruelly obliterated by newer models. I reckon this round-cornered square can only be the last gasp of a tupperware box-shaped Securicor Granley (or one of its spin-offs). At least it got replaced with a sounder that matches. • Spotted: Coventry Road, Tower Hamlets, London, E2, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow

2007, 3 initials, Ex-alarm, Ghost, Hexagon, Initial-based, Labour Party, Rectangle, Typographic, Unexplained acronym burglar alarm, E2, graphic design, London, politics, postaday, surveillance, Tower Hamlets

Mosaic ghost alarm, Lowestoft: swimming pool

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on October 27, 2012

Ghost burglar alarm (mosaic), Lowestoft • Almost looks like a mini-swimming pool, though there’s no chance of guessing what sounder was once in it. And there’s a skeleton below it, which I also featured here. • Spotted: Town centre, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Waveney

2007, Ex-alarm, Ghost, Rectangle burglar alarm, graphic design, Lowestoft, politics, postaday, Suffolk, surveillance

Bank ghost alarms, Camden: redundant duo

2 Comments Posted by Vici MacDonald on October 26, 2012

Ghost burglar alarms (bank), Camden • These ex-sounders are on a Lloyds TSB, but banks haven’t got any money so I guess they don’t need alarms any more – and they used to have two of them! Unless one of them was some other form of electronic box. • Spotted: Kilburn High Road, Camden, London, NW6, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Hampstead and Kilburn

2007, Circle, Ex-alarm, Ghost, Rectangle burglar alarm, Camden, graphic design, London, NW6, politics, postaday, surveillance

Eyed ghost alarm, Camden: screwy peepers

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on October 25, 2012

Ghost burglar alarm (eyed), Camden • Nearly a year ago I featured some ex-burglar alarms, which as I explained at the time, come in two forms: ghosts, where they’ve been fully removed, leaving just a mark on the wall; and skeletons, where some casing remains. Then I focused on skeletons, so now I’m posting some ghosts. Some are more recognisable than others, as the only clue to their brand is the shape and a few screw-holes, which here look like eyes. The sounder was clearly round one, so a Thorn or an AFA Minerva perhaps. • Spotted: Finchley Road, Camden, London, NW3, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Hampstead and Kilburn

2007, Circle, Ex-alarm, Ghost burglar alarm, Camden, graphic design, London, NW3, politics, postaday, surveillance

“Essex Security Services”, Tower Hamlets: not scimitars

7 Comments Posted by Vici MacDonald on October 18, 2012

“Essex Security Services” burglar alarm, Tower Hamlets • Courtesy of Essex Security Services, already heavily featured on this blog, come what I at first thought were three scimitars – curved sabres good for slashing from horses, and much favoured in medieval Arabia. But as I am reliably informed by the firm’s head honcho (see comments, below), they are in fact Seaxes: Germanic daggers from which the Essex-bound Saxons took their name, and which now feature in the Essex coat of arms. • Spotted: Redchurch Street, Tower Hamlets, London, E2, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow

2007, Blue, Geographic, Illustrated, Labour Party, Local, Militia, Monochrome, Rectangle, Silhouette, Weapon burglar alarm, E2, graphic design, London, politics, postaday, surveillance, Tower Hamlets

“Broadsword Security”, Cirencester: battle-ready

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on October 16, 2012

“Broadsword Security Services” burglar alarm, Cirencester • This shows Broadsword’s current identity – and rather brilliantly, there’s an animated sword on their website. But if you’d prefer anti-burglar protection from an actual battle-ready broasdsword, you can buy one here (after all, the Tories reckon it’s OK to stab burglars now). Or, if you’re a bit too wet for that, there’s a broadsword-handled umbrella here. • Spotted: Town centre, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Cotswolds

2007, Conservative Party, Illustrated, Militia, Rectangle, Stylised graphic, Weapon burglar alarm, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, graphic design, politics, postaday, surveillance

“HSS Alarms”, Tower Hamlets: yeoman

4 Comments Posted by Vici MacDonald on October 13, 2012

“HSS Alarms” burglar alarm, Tower Hamlets • HSS used to be based in Harlow, so I reckon HSS stands for Harlow Security Systems. Aptly for a sounder located in Tower Hamlets, it pictures a Beefeater – aka a Yeoman of the Guard, which is apparently an incorrect term for Yeoman Warder, ie a geezer who ceremonially “guards” the Tower of London. That looks like a vicious weapon he’s carrying, but in fact it’s just a decorative staff. Tomorrow however, the theme is indeed weapons. • Spotted: Redchurch Street, Tower Hamlets, London, E2, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow

2007, 3 initials, Botanic, Bulb, Crown, Drawing, Guard, Human body, Illustrated, Initial-based, Labour Party, Male, Militia, Monochrome, Rectangle, Red, SS, Unexplained acronym burglar alarm, E2, graphic design, London, politics, postaday, surveillance, Tower Hamlets

“Guardwell Ltd”, Camden: self-explanatory

Leave a Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on October 5, 2012

“Guardwell Ltd” burglar alarm, Camden • A name that falls into the “does what it says on the can” category – I doubt there are any firms called Guardbad. Note also the nice retrofuturist “GW” monogram, suggesting a waveform in a circle. One from a motherlode I found in the Kilburn High Road several years ago – if I ever run out of burglar alarms all I have to do is pay another visit, as there must be enough dodgy old bell boxes above the shops there to last at least another year. • Spotted: Kilburn High Road, Camden, London, NW6, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Hampstead and Kilburn

2007, Blue, Bulb, Favourite, Guard, Labour Party, Militia, Monochrome, Monogram, Rectangle, Science and Technology, Soundwaves, Typographic burglar alarm, Camden, graphic design, London, NW6, politics, postaday, surveillance

“SOS Security Group”, Lambeth: 1970s disco

3 Comments Posted by Vici MacDonald on September 25, 2012

“SOS Security Group” burglar alarm, Lambeth • Although I have a category called “1970s disco“, that’s for 1970s-looking typography. Whereas this old sounder shares a name with an actual 1970s disco group, The SOS Band – famed mainly for the classic “Just Be good to Me” (which is actually from the early 1980s). • Spotted: Lower Marsh, Lambeth, London, SE1, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Vauxhall

SOS Band. That’s an SOS for the hair police.

2007, 3 initials, Audio, Initial-based, Labour Party, Monochrome, Music, Pop music, Rectangle, Red, Unexplained acronym, Vintage burglar alarm, graphic design, Lambeth, London, politics, postaday, SE1, surveillance

“Ace Security”, Islington: 1970s non-disco

1 Comment Posted by Vici MacDonald on September 16, 2012

“Ace Security” burglar alarm, Islington • A 1970s disco logo for a 1970s non-disco group: Ace, a bunch of hairy be-flared musos notable mainly for the very successful single “How Long”, which was top 20 in both the UK and the USA in 1974-5. • Spotted: Aylesbury Street, Islington, London, EC1, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Islington South and Finsbury

Ace the one-hit-wonder group

1970s disco, 2007, Audio, Delta, Labour Party, Monogram, Music, Other connotations, Pop music, Typographic burglar alarm, EC1, graphic design, Islington, London, politics, postaday, Street, surveillance

← Older posts

A project by Vici MacDonald, ex-editor of Art World magazine, who explains her obsession here. Launched on 1/1/11, this blog will be updated daily, building into an alarming archive of bonkers burglar deterrents. Subjects range from cuddly creatures to mythical beasts, shadowy spies to seductive belles, with a lot of naive design in between. All this plus the alarms' political constituencies too! The collection will grow fast – keep updated on Twitter or Facebook, or sign up for email notifications.

Category Archives: 2007

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Recent themes

About

Subscribe by email

Follow on…

Archives

Alarm subjects

Recent comments

Alarms whose MP is…

Recent posts

Popular topics

Blog Stats

Follow “Burglar Alarm Britain”