Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701
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Current BSI Kitemark should test locks for snapping says Police Chief
Sir Norman Bettison, the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, has admitted that lock snapping should be covered by BSI standards.
During a recent online community meeting, ABS Secure's Managing Director Steve Stewart raised the issue of burglaries caused by the snapping of Euro Cylinders. Lock snapping is fast becoming a UK-wide problem as burglars have learnt the weakness of such locks. They can easily break through in under a minute. The recent riots in cities across the country has increased property owners' concern to make their homes and businesses more secure.
Steve asked: "I would be interested in your opinion on the rise of euro cylinder snapping burglaries and whether the Police not being able to recommend products, only standards, has hindered thwarting the burglar and informing the public of the threat?"
In response, Sir Norman said: "My crime prevention officers are happy to recommend locks with a BSI Kitemark. In addition, I am hoping that some locks get themselves accredited by Secure by Design which is a police service run organisation to provide the best crime prevention advice nationally. At the moment (people) just replace the euro profile locks that are in most uPVC windows and doors. These can be snapped or bumped and give way too easily."
Steve reminded Sir Norman that the current BSI Kitemark did not test for snapping, to which he responded "It should!"
"ABS has been campaigning for lock snapping to be recognised as a growing method of attack and it should be included in tests carried out by organisations setting security standards," Steve emphasises. "Property owners put their faith in security standards and products which reach these standards. It is only right they meet their security expectations. For the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police to call for its inclusion in testing is acknowledgement of the gravity of the problem."
7th September 2011