Burglar Bob blitzed!

The cameras captured everything while an attempted domestic robbery was taking place … but rather than CCTV cameras capturing the images, it was a BBC television crew.

Reformed burglar Bob Turney was attempting the break-in after Blitz Security had fitted it out with Scantronic alarm equipment.

And not only did the alarm go off with gusto but a Smokecloak unit filled the room leaving ex-burglar Bob unable to see the potential pickings on display.

The set-up was part of a security makeover programme starring NACOSS-approved Blitz and kit from Cooper Security.

The south east based company were called in by the BBC programme 'Inside Out' to do a 'Changing Rooms'-style security makeover on a house - and then put the results to the test by employing a 'professional' - but of course reformed - burglar to attempt a break-in.

Said Paul Germaine of award winning Blitz: "We were contacted by the BBC after they came across our web site. They were looking for a company about our size and, apparently, one of the reasons we were chosen was because of our good history of reliability. We use a lot of Cooper Security's Scantronic equipment which has proved to be very reliable."

Blitz Security went out and found a property to meet the brief. It had to be reasonably old, cottage style, and with no existing security system. With the incentive to be involved being a free security system, it wasn't too difficult to find a willing householder.

The programme began with Paul Germaine surveying the property, discussing security weaknesses and explaining how these could be addressed. His proposal was to install a Scantronic 9751 control panel with 9955 wire free expanders and wire free detectors throughout the property. 715 PIRs were used for trap protection and 735 contacts were used on the windows and doors.

Explained Paul: "It would have been a difficult house to hard-wire, particularly the door and window contacts. By using the 9751 we got a much cleaner and neater finish.

"We have used this panel extensively since it was launched for specifically these reasons. Blitz Security recently celebrated 20 years in business. We have used Scantronic equipment for 19 of those 20 years. I guess you could say we are very longstanding satisfied customers".

The programme shows the installation of the security system as a speeded up film – condensing a full day's work into a few minutes – if only that were possible in real life!

Ex-burglar Bob, who has given up breaking and entering to take up after dinner speaking, lecturing and writing prepared to break in, while Paul Germaine tried to predict where he would attempt the entry. He was right in his prediction and had prepared the Smokecloak surprise. Not only did the alarm go off with gusto but a Smokecloak unit filled the room leaving Bob unable to see the potential pickings on display.

Said Paul:" know that Smokeclaok is not usually used in a domestic setting but as costs fall I think it will become more viable. It certainly had an impact in this instance – and poor Bob seemed suitably impressed by the new security arrangements".

David Ripley, MD of Cooper Security said: "This was obviously a great project for us to be involved in – and it is just the kind of good publicity that the security industry needs. At last security is appearing in a positive light in such a high profile medium. It is definitely the sort of publicity the industry should be pursuing."

Already shown in the Kent and Sussex regions in September, it will be shown in other regions at future dates.