BUYERS' GUIDE TO VEHICLE SECURITY DEVICES
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'TRANSPORT managers concerned with .1 vehicle security—and that, in 1967, should mean all transport managers—have a very wide range of devices to choose from. They range in price from a few shillings to £40 or more and any operator resolved to provide the maximum possible security could well be persuaded to fit two or more systems and include in the protective armament door, window and bonnet locks as well as the typical ignition, starter or fuel pump immobilizers.
Unfortunately, no system or combination of systems or even an expensive custom-built installation, offers 100 per cent security; the human element can thwart the best mechanical endeavours, and this no doubt explains the preference of most security-conscious transport firms for devices which operate automatically regardless of the forgetfulness or carelessness or stupidity of the driver.
Although at least one firm offers a trailer alarm which sounds a warning if the prime mover is disconnected by an unauthorized person, there seems to be scope for simple and economical devices for load protection, particularly on flat platform general haulage vehicles. Vehicle thieves prefer to drive their booty away but many are resourceful enough to off-load a worthwhile cargo; at £804) a ton —and many loads are more valuable—I suspect that lorry load thefts will trouble us for many years.
Meanwhile, transport managers owe it to their employers to investigate the devices that are available. They will find that insurers will welcome their interest in the security problem, and premiums may be held at current levels if approved devices are fitted.
Yale and Towne Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Willenhall, Staffs., offers two devices suitable for commercial vehicles. The M 69 cylinder mortice deadlock is fitted to vehicle doors of any thickness in addition to existing disc tumbler locks. It can be master-keyed, enabling a fleet to be locked by individual keys as well as by master or sub-master keys for all or a group of vehicles. Two forms of A 2 cylinder bonnet locks, equally suitable for sliding doors on light vans, are supplied. The locks cost from £1 8s. to £2 9s. 3d. and both types can be fitted in the London area by Gilman Security Services Ltd., 165 Old Kent Road, London, quickly and reasonably.
Wilmot-Breeden Ltd., 13-14 Oxford Street, Birmingham 5, sells locking caps for vehicle fuel tanks for most makes of commercial vehicles and light vans; it also makes a simple and effective key-operated steering and ignition lock for all types of vehicle which must be incorporated at the manufacturing stage as it necessitates a specially adapted steering column.
An alarm and immobilizer suitable for any commercial vehicle is made by Stellar Components (Sales) Ltd., Pottery Lane, Kensington, London W11. The device uses two balanced pendulums and when switched on the slightest movement of the vehicle actuates the horn circuit. Sensitivity adjustments are provided for and horn blast is variable from 2 to 60 seconds. If the born blast is ignored the ignition immobilizer operates. Price, with personal keyswitch, £6 10s. Fitting costs extra.
The Autosafe Co., 4 Tiddington Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, produces a device which locks road wheels automatically when the ignition is switched off. It can be coupled with a horn warning alarm. The device acts as a non-return valve in the hydraulic braking system, locking the road wheels and preventing movement. Used in conjunction with Autosound an audible warning is given when the starter button is pressed without the special key being used or if a door or bonnet is opened, or a load removed. In diesel vehicles the audible system is wired across the starter solenoid so that, unless the special key is used, in addition to the horn blowing the electric supply to the starter itself is cut.
Recommended by Interpol, the Neimann steering and ignition lock made under licence by Trieo-Folberth Ltd., Great West Road, Brentford, is well known, more than 20 million having been fitted in the last 30 years. Neimann locks are precision-built with the great virtue of simplicity the driver's action in moving the ignition key automatically' locks the vehicle. Neimann commercial vehicle locks cost £7 lOs and are designed to be fitted by manufacturers. They can be fitted to used vehicles but the operation is somewhat expensive.
Mini-locks, marketed by Lander Equipment Co., 6-10 Playfair Street, Glasgow, SE, are specially designed for Austin and Morris Minivans, but a universal Minilock, using a barrel extension, can be fitted to any vehicle. The device is adaptable to bonnets or fuel filler caps. Lander also offers audible warning and immobilizer systems.
Suitable for many types of light commercial vehicles the Krooklok anti-theft device has the merit of robust simplicity. One hook fits under the clutch and brake pedal and the other over the steering wheel. To operate, the tumbler lock is undone and the extensible metal bar pulled out, or compressed, as needed. Made by Johnson and Starley Ltd., Northampton, price £2 7s 6d.
Basically similar to the Krooklok is a fitment called the Stylalok, made by Hillerest Engineering Co. Ltd., 72-84 Great Barr Street, Birmingham 9.
Associated Fire Alarms Ltd., 25 Wellington Street, London WC2, with 25 years' experience of vehicle security devices, makes a wide range of devices suitable for every kind of vehicle. They range from relatively unsophisticated alarm systems, such as ignition circuit breakers to automatic diesel immobilizers specially produced for commercial vehicle protection. Slam locks and security devices for door and window fittings and a trailer protection device are available.
Fire Detection Ltd., 45 Vivian Avenue, Hendon Central, London NW4, makes the popular Watchdog vehicle alarm systems. A clip-in pack incorporating a pre-wired cable harness can be fitted to any commercial vehicle by the operator, or a local garage.
The Sentinel fully automatic key-operated alarm and immobilizer made by MVAC Ltd.,