(In our IFSEC 91preview, we mentioned an unusual exhibit on the Abloy Security stand...)
"Abloy Security Hardware Ltd will be exhibiting its high-sensitivity pick-proof range of padlocks, including one made for the competition to find the 'World's Strongest Man' (which was shown on television over Christmas).
It's one of the largest in the world. Weighing in at 25 kilos, the padlock was held at arm's length for a solid 42.5 seconds."
Van raiders foiled
(One of our application success stories was about a foiled hi-jack...)
"Police revealed recently that the Datatrak vehicle tracking system was directly responsible for foiling a £100,000 raid on a Securicor van.
"Thieves hi-jacked a Securicor van as it was about to deliver cash to an Automatic Teller Machine. They ripped out the van's two-way radio but didn't know the vehicle was fitted with the Datatrak vehicle monitoring and control system which automatically transmits continuous updates on vehicle status, direction and location.
"The Datatrak control bureau, in London, reacted to the system's alarm and informed the police within seconds, allowing them to arrive in time to catch one of the thieves and recover the cash.
"The crew, who had been locked in their van, were unhurt."
Amusing miscellany
(Once again in his Masterclass article, Michael Taplin recalled some 'amusing miscellany'...)
"Rather disturbing, yet plausible:
"Normal lighting cable should be used (for a centrally fed emergency lighting system) because it is much cheaper.
"An understandable misunderstanding:
"A maintained emergency lighting system means that the batteries are checked regularly.
"Nothing, but honest:
"Q. State the conditions under which pvc-insulated and sheathed cable may be used for a centrally fed emergency lighting system.
"A. There are none to my knowledge."
Howzat!
(We featured a Panasonic micro-camera in our Tried & Tested spot, and although most applications were too hush-hush to report, we could pass on some sporting successes...)
"It proved its ruggedness after being hit by a cricket ball, estimated to be travelling at over 70mph. At the time the camera was inside a hollowed-out cricket stump constructed by Granada TV's engineering department. The idea was to give a wicket-keeper's view of the action. The camera was mounted vertically inside the stump, aimed on a small plastic mirror angled at 45 degrees...
"Granada's sports department was suitably impressed with the results and another camera was mounted on the crossbar of the goalposts of a Manchester United v Manchester City derby last October, to give a view over the goalkeeper's head into the penalty area. So far, shots from these unusual camera positions have been used only briefly during transmissions, but if the experiment proves successful we can expect to see quite a few more unusual camera angles from a variety of sports.
"The camera's tiny proportions have also been used to good effect in secret undercover filming during programmes made by the World In Action programme. Sharp-eyed viewers may also have spotted the camera on a couple of occasions in Beadle's About, catching members of the public unaware in a series of stunts."
Source
Security Installer
