Thatcham Vehicle Security Guide – What do the Categories mean?

Thatcham Category 1

Electronic Alarms and Immobilisers –

• The most complex systems available.
• The immobiliser will isolate at least two vehicle operating systems.
• Perimeter and ignition detection.
• Sensors to detect vehicle movements such as tilting or glass breaking.

Thatcham Category 2

Electronic Immobilisers –

• Same immobiliser specification as Cat 1.
• The immobiliser will isolate at least two vehicle operating systems.

Thatcham Category 2/1

Electronic Immobilisers & Alarm Upgrades – 

• A Cat 2 vehicle is retrofitted with an alarm that meets the requirement of Cat 1.

Thatcham Category 3

Mechanical Immobilisers – 

• A physical device such as steering wheel locks or wheel clamps, that render the vehicle inoperable.
• Must not be electrical.

Thatcham Category 4

Wheel Locking Devices – 

• Primarily, locking wheel nuts that either prevent or delay the theft of vehicle wheels.

Thatcham Category 5-7 – No longer in use

From 2019, Category 5, 6 & 7 have been split into two new categories S5 & S7.

Thatcham Category S5 – Superseding previous Category 5 or 6 from 1st January 2019

Post-theft Vehicle Trackers with Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR) – 

• Online Tracking.
• Must be able to recognise the Driver of the vehicle, usually through either tag or cards.
• Movement without these tags will send an alert to the owner of the vehicle.