IMPROVED DOMESTIC SECURITY MOVES CENTRE STAGE AS BURGLARY CRIME RATES RISE

Article first published 25/07/2012

An important initiative from the UK lock industry to raise domestic security standards has coincided with increasing concerns about the rise in burglaries in some parts of the country.  
 
A police chief has stated that cuts in police numbers has led to an “inevitable” increase in the number of burglaries being committed. Acting Chief Constable Chris Weigh of Lancashire Constabulary, whose force has lost 500 front-line officers, says house burglaries were up 8.4 per cent in April compared to the same time last year.  
 
The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF), which represents the UK’s leading lock manufacturers, and the Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF) which represent the UK’s leading manufacturers and installers of doors and windows, have launched a new standard for lock cylinders and associated security hardware usually consisting of security handles. This is supported by Secured by Design, the Association of Chief Police Officers’ crime prevention initiative and forms the basis of the latest British Standards Kitemark scheme for replacement lock cylinders and security hardware for locks.  
 
Replacement lock cylinders and handles Kitemarked to TS 007, that will reassure householders that their lock cylinders and handles will resist the common methods of attack used by burglars, are now on the market. These Kitemarked products will resist attack methods including drilling, picking, bumping, snapping and plug extraction.  
 
The TS 007 standard enables the Kitemark symbol to be used on products in conjunction with a star rating of one, two or three. The TS 007 standard requires a three star solution to provide a full degree of security. This level of security can be achieved by either a combination of a cylinder (marked with one star) and security door hardware such as a strengthened door handle (marked with two stars); or a three star cylinder.  
 
Said DHF general manager and secretary Michael Skelding: “There are increasing concerns regarding the rise in so-called austerity crime in the current economic climate, and the Government reduction in the number of front-line police.  
 
“Naturally, householders are becoming more worried about the security of their homes and are looking for more robust security solutions. The UK lock industry has acted quickly to ensure these new security solutions are now readily available on the market.”  
 
If householders are concerned about the level of security offered by the lock cylinders fitted to their doors, The DHF and the GGF recommend that householders seek advice from security professionals such as locksmiths, or refer to the original installers of their doors for advice. The DHF has also produced a website (http://ts007.dhfonline.org.uk/ ) that informs householders what they should do to ensure their external doors are secure.  

Article ID No.: 221