Cat 5 - After Theft Systems for Vehicle Recovery

These systems can help get your vehicle back after its theft — often in just a few hours. They have all been subjected to stringent testing by Thatcham for safety and effectiveness.

Thatcham Category 5 compliant systems are listed here (pdf).

Installation Criteria

Installation of CAT 5 systems should be carried out by a Thatcham Recognised Installer

Why Cat 5?

Without the keys, modern cars are much harder to steal and beyond the abilities of all but the most sophisticated thieves. The criminal response has been to focus on stealing the keys in order to steal the car.

To tackle the new trend of key theft, Thatcham are working with the police and other partners to develop a range of technologies, one of which led to the introduction of the Thatcham Category 5 Criteria for after theft recovery systems.

These criteria will allow the fitting of insurance industry approved systems to vehicles that will have a direct effect on vehicle crime. It is not only the device in the vehicle that is subject to the criteria. For the first time, a Thatcham Category applies to the entire system - design, installation, maintenance and operation, with quality and security requirements being set and audited at every level. Category 5 is one of a number of categories that Thatcham have defined for the testing of vehicle security systems.

Safety and Security

The work leading to the Thatcham criteria has considered the requirements for safety and security through each step of the service chain, from design, through manufacture, fitting, operation and maintenance.

The highest standards of quality and security have been defined to ensure that only those manufactures, installers, operators and repairers that meet and maintain these standards can achieve and maintain the Thatcham Criteria.

When did Category 5 start?

Applications for the first wave testing were accepted from December 2003 onwards. The first list of Thatcham Category 5 compliant systems was published on 27th September 2004.

Who was involved in producing the Thatcham Category 5 Criteria?

• Police
• Insurers
• Thatcham
• Vehicle tracking industry
• Police Scientific Development Branch

The category incorporates the ACPO/PSDB document and best practice guide 14/02 on Vehicle Tracking and Stopping as an annex. It has taken account of the early drafts of European Standards Body, CEN 278 Working Group 14 and will be amended as the CEN Standards are produced so that it is compliant with them.

July 2006 Update Changes to ACPO/HOSDB policy document 1402

As of 01 July 2006 'Category 5 SO' no longer complies with ACPO policy, and therefore no new 'Category 5 SO' systems will be accepted for accreditation. 'Category 5 SO' systems that are fitted after 01 July 2006 will not be recognised by Thatcham. The listing will be updated on 2nd October to show changes to the existing accredited 'Category 5 SO' systems. These will change in one of the following ways:

• Upgraded to RO
• Transferred to Thatcham Quality Assurance (TQA) scheme
• Delisted

The way in which the system will change will be at the discretion of the supplier/manufacturer.
For the current status of the accredited 'Category 5 SO' systems please contact the supplier/manufacturer concerned.

How do I apply?

For more information on the Thatcham criteria for after theft systems for vehicle recovery, submitting a system, or information on the Performance Test Specifications, please contact Alan Bignell.