What is the difference between Thatcham Category 5 and Category Q?
Thatcham Category 5 accreditation is for after theft vehicle tracking systems that attract a priority response from the Police to reports of vehicle theft when installed on a vehicle. Accreditation covers tracking hardware function, the way it installed and the skills and security status of the installation engineers. Category 5 is a security device accreditation. Category Q is a standard applied to the functional design and manufacture of tracking hardware, does not extend to the installation itself or to the training or security clearance of the installer. Category Q devices are not officially recognised as security devices. Thatcham Category 5 accreditation requires the use of a 24/7 manned Secure Operating Centre that receives and monitors alerts from the vehicle and has the authority to contact the Police directly using a dedicated priority telephone line. Category Q devices are not linked to a Secure Operating Centre. In the event of a vehicle theft the owner of a Category Q inst
