Austrian police under fire from locked out callers

By Rachael Williams

Police have come under fire in the current row over locksmiths which overcharge for their services after it was revealed that officers had been recommending companies suspected of ripping off clients.

The scandal came to light when one caller who had been recommended a shoddy firm by police made a formal letter of complaint.

Hacker cracks 4 million hotel locks with 'James Bond Dry Erase Marker'

This new hacker invention may look like a harmless dry erase marker, but in truth it's the ultimate electronic lock pick. In a post titled 'James Bond's Dry Erase Marker,' hotel hacker Matthew Jakubowski demonstrates how anyone can build this pocket-sized device which will open the lock on an estimated 4 million hotel rooms.

The keys to the city: Retired locksmith selling master keys that will open subways, elevators and power stations

A retired locksmith is leaving the door open for anybody who wants to make themselves at home in various areas of New York City's infrastructure. Daniel Ferraris, 69, of Union City, New Jersey, is reportedly not asking questions as he sells the keys, which have some crying foul over a possible security breach.

CAWA and AAIA have reported a victory for consumers and the automotive aftermarket alike

US nuclear site ends security contract following nun's break-in

The U.S. government's "Fort Knox" of weapons-grade uranium storage has ended its contract with a unit of international security firm G4S, two months after an 82-year-old nun and other nuclear activists broke into the site.
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ALEX - Auto Locksmiths Expo - This weekend 27th and 28th October

"Well I am officially gobsmacked!" says organiser Mick Friend. "I have had confirmation that almost every auto expert in Europe will be there - the show has arrived."

It's not too late to attend - you can register on the day! You can book demonstrations on the day! As well as meeting suppliers, visitors will also have the opportunity to see live demonstrations in a dedicated demonstration area. There is a full programme of demonstrations running on both days, in either half hour or one hour slots. Experts will give master classes while being filmed live and projected onto plasma screens. The audience will not only be able to see the demos in close detail but will also be able to ask questions. There will be great show prices, deals to be had and bargains to be negotiated. If you're thinking about becoming an auto locksmith or want to see the latest equipment or improve your skills, there can be no better place to find the answers you need.

The show also features the world famous Jim Hetchler from Texas. Jim is the owner of Key Pro, Key Pro Web and Just Cars! He travels and teaches extensively in the USA and internationally. He will be showing the new 3D Pro Extreme.
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The new A9 - another Miracle ... from Lockdecoders!

Just in time for the Auto Locksmiths Expo (ALEX) opening this weekend, Lockdecoders, said to be one of the most innovative world players in auto locksmithing equipment, have launched another winner.

The Miracle A9 is claimed to be more capable and more versatile than any other automatic key cutting machine ever produced.
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Rotterdam Museum says deactivated lock helped thieves

By Doreen Carvajal

The Kunsthal museum in Rotterdam, facing strong criticism over its security measures after seven valuable paintings were stolen last week, on Monday issued a statement explaining that the thieves were able to snatch the artworks swiftly after an alarm briefly deactivated a rear door's electronic lock.

Security firm Securitas to cut costs, lose 400 jobs

Swedish security services group Securitas, which has posted seven straight quarterly earnings drops, is to cut costs and merge two divisions, it said on last week. The company, the world's second largest security firm after British-Danish G4S, has suffered from weakness in Europe during the sovereign debt crisis, affecting key contracts. Profitability in its U.S. market has been weaker than expected.

New range of "thru the door" vehicle opening tools

Hickleys are launching a new range of vehicle opening tools for the Auto Locksmith market at the ALEX international Expo show on the 27th & 28th October.
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This 'student' lock can secure your bike

Shanghai University students have invented a new type of bicycle lock - a coded-lock that can be inserted in the beam of bikes or other two-wheelers - and so effective has it been that China's top bike maker, Forever, has come knocking on their doors.
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Alert Pal: a portable GSM instant alerting security camera

Alert Pal is a totally unique security camera that uses a SIM card, which when triggered will send the user an immediate text alert and 5 images - usually in less than 60 seconds (costing less than 60p).
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Welsh Security firm 'on duty during U.S consulate attack'

A deadly attack at a US consulate in Libya involved a Welsh firm based in Carmarthen, according to reports. US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed in the attack at the consulate in Benghazi on September 11.

The attack coincided with the demonstrations of the US embassy in Egypt, in protest to the anti-Islamic film Innocence of Muslims, and was initially reported to be a similar demonstration.

Mul-T-Lock is king of the castle

Mul-T-Lock's patented MT5 cylinder platform has been installed at Peckforton Castle by Safeguard (NW) Ltd, to restrict the unauthorised distribution of keys and ensure its security can operate from a single master key suite, without compromising on the medieval style architecture.

Based in the heart of Cheshire, Peckforton Castle has been transformed into a luxury hotel with conference facilities and has also gained a license to undertake wedding ceremonies. However, with a number of different cylinder platforms on site securing the castle, security was being compromised.
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Newsdesk News

If you would like Locks and Security News to feature your product information, case studies, or company news, just email as above. Ideally a Word doc + jpeg images. Remember, we can take copy up to 5pm on any Tuesday for Wednesday transmission.

Want a link from Locks and Security News to your web site? Just ask for details.

The views or claims expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the publisher accepts no liability for errors in this publication.

John Austen
Publishing Director
Tel:07766 707 888

NOS Consultation: Electronic Security Systems

The Standards Development team at Skills for Security has been working with representatives from the security systems sector to review the National Occupational Standards.

It is now time for wider consultation on the changes that have been made and all practitioners in the sector are invited to have their say. This is an important part of the review process and all comments will be considered by the working group.
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Customers want the convenience of auto smart keys now, but are too concerned with security

Customers want the convenience of smart key now, but are too concerned with security and reliability to accept a smartphone key system just yet, says SBD's latest customer survey. Data sourced from SBD's new customer survey - Cautious to Converted: A Survey Of Existing And Potential Smart Key Customers In EU. 
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ALEX is now less than 3 weeks away

Visitor pre-show registration is still going strong with visitors booked from all over the world. Do pre-book it will save time on arriving. The QR codes will be going out later this week, please print at a reasonable size making sure you have all the edges or bring your smartphone with the image on-board.
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High-def CCTV cameras risk backlash, warns UK watchdog

High-definition closed-circuit television (CCTV) risks sparking a public backlash, according to the UK government's surveillance commissioner. Andrew Rennison told the Independent newspaper that "the technology has overtaken our ability to regulate it."

Surveillance cams now offer up to 29 megapixels, surpassing many cameras used by professional photographers.

Airport security worker 'failed to spot fake bomb clearly designed to look like explosives as it went through X-ray machine'

An airport security worker has been suspended after she failed to spot a fake bomb designed to look like explosives as it passed through the X-ray machine. The guard did not detect the dummy explosive as it passed through Manchester Airport's 'air side' meaning it could have been taken on board a flight by a passenger.

It is believed that the woman missed the fake bomb because she was looking at her work rota at the time rather than watching the screen.

DHF publishes guide to the specification of CE marked doorsets

A comprehensive guide designed to help building professionals correctly specify CE marked doorsets has been published by the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF).
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Security expert donates new safe to Grimsby charity shop after break-in

A charity is feeling as safe as houses thanks to a generous donation. More than £800 was stolen by thieves who raided the Grimsby and District Healthcare charity shop, in Freeman Street, Grimsby. Now, security and locksmith expert Richard Ellis has donated a new safe to the charity.

Senior G4S executives resign over Olympics security failure

Two senior executives at G4S have resigned over the company's failure to deliver its contract for the London 2012 Olympics, but chief executive Nick Buckles has kept his job.

David Taylor-Smith, chief operating officer, and Ian Horseman-Sewell, managing director for G4S Global Events, are stepping down following the firm's failure to meet its Olympics commitments. The G4S board, though, has concluded Buckles should stay on "in the best interest of the company and all of its stakeholders."