Smoke Screen has proven to be a highly effective way to stop ram raiders and other fast acting robbers. The main limitation was that the Smoke Screens had to be installed and connected to an intruder alarm system. Lincolnshire based Concept Smoke Screen has now developed the Guardian ATM the world’s first, truly portable Smoke Screen system.

Guardian ATM has been developed in collaboration with the UK’s biggest cash-in-transit company. The machines are small and light enough to be hand carried between the CiT vehicle and the ATM. When activated the high output and special ‘anti-raid’ nozzle produces an intimidating barrier of smoke. The ATM disappears in a dense cloud of non-toxic smoke and crews are trained to use the distraction of the smoke and escape to pre-arranged ‘safe’ areas.

The Guardian ATM had been on an extended trial in the UK during which time it was deployed on a number of occasions. Each time the ATM and crew were successfully protected. Guardian ATM has now entered service in a number of regions throughout the UK.

For the first time the full effect of Smoke Screen can be used in a portable way. They are no longer tied to fixed and permanent installations.

This is not the only innovation, as Concept’s Sales Director Matt Gilmartin explains: “Over the past two years we have been engaged in a full on programme of development. There have been changes to electronics and new heater-block technology has been introduced. All of the main-stream Smoke Screens have been updated and uprated and another exciting range introduced – the Smoke Screen Predator.”

Predator combines the effectiveness of Smoke Screening with DNA tagging. Losses are prevented and criminals are tagged so that they can be apprehended and convicted. Smoke Screen Predator uses a highly effective dye dispersing system that enables the device to work with almost all of the DNA markers currently on the market. Because the DNA/dye combination is introduced independently there is no danger of the DNA component being damaged or destroyed as it passes through the smoke machine’s heat exchanger system.