DHF MOUNTS CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS OF NEW LOCK KITEMARK

Article first published 03/06/2009

The recession, rising unemployment and the increase in new cylinder attack techniques, including bumping and snapping, has led to a huge rise in the number of domestic burglaries.  
 
Now Britain’s lockmakers have responded to the so-called “credit crunch crime wave” by launching a range of new locks that are Kitemarked to the latest anti-lock bumping standards.  
 
The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF), which represents the UK’s leading manufacturers of locks and door ironmongery products, is mounting a campaign to raise awareness of the new locks both in the trade and amongst consumers.  
 
Said DHF chief executive Ian Wood: “Latest Home Office statistics showed a four per cent increase in the number of domestic burglaries to more than 75,000 in the last three months of 2008. There was a similar increase between last July and September and is the first sustained rise in break-ins since the mid-1990s.  
 
“These figures seem to confirm warnings that the economic downturn - combined with rising unemployment - would inevitably lead to an increase in property crime. And this has been exacerbated by the fact that would-be thieves can go onto the internet and watch freely available videos showing how to bump cylinder locks, and even order specially made bump keys.  
 
“The police, the insurance industry and security specialists have become most concerned that lock bumping techniques have been revealed on the internet and are increasingly being used by criminals.  
 
“Britain’s lock industry has responded by designing these ultra secure domestic door locks and related products which offer protection against lock bumping and ensuring they are now available on the market to buy.”  
 
He pointed out that Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, has already announced a number of initiatives to tackle burglary, including offering the public a coupon giving up to 15 per cent off security products sold by B&Q.  
 
The BSI Kitemark shows cylinder lock products meet the anti lock bumping provisions of the 2007 Standards BS 3621, 8621 and 10621. It also covers multipoint locks tested as part of a complete doorset assembly to PAS 24:2007. Purchasers of locks should be aware that earlier versions of these Standards did not contain any specific safeguards against lock bumping.  
 
The latest Standards have been set by the BSE committee responsible for lock standards. Its members comprise DHF companies, Association of Chief Police Officers, insurance companies, test houses and the National House Building Confederation.  
 
For more information on the campaign, visit www.dhfonline.org.uk

Article ID No.: 182