Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701

Your industry news - first

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Master locksmiths designed to be secure

The leading trade association for the locksmithing profession is further cementing its position as one of the UK’s leading security experts by forging a new partnership with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) is the latest organisation to become an Affiliate Trade Association member of ACPO’s Secured by Design (SBD) initiative.  SBD promotes the use of security standards and looks at implementing crime prevention measures at the design and refurbishment stages of commercial and residential development to ensure long-term security measures are in place.

As the organisations join forces, the pair are using the opportunity to highlight concern over the open sale of specialist locksmithing tools.  The duo are worried that if specialist tools fall into the wrong hands serious security breaches could prevail and argue that sale of such products should be restricted to appropriately vetted, inspected and qualified professional locksmith companies or individuals.

Dr Steffan George from the MLA said: “Secured by Design is a fantastic initiative that echoes the MLA’s ethos that security begins from the base up.  By ensuring the basics such as locks and keys are correct from the start of a project, any additional security measures will further enhance steps and ensure longevity of a security system.

“We have worked with the Home Office and various police constabularies for a number of years on a host of different projects so it is fantastic to be able to work with the ACPO to raise awareness of issues affecting us and the wider security industry. 

“The unregulated sale of specialist locksmithing tools is one trend we are seeing on an increasingly frequent basis and a concern that is mirrored by SBD.  Together we want to bring about industry change that means only licensed, vetted and approved locksmiths such as MLA members and emergency services are able to buy specialist tools.  By ensuring only a limited number of respected and proven individuals have access to these items we minimise the chances of rogue individuals using the tools to the determent of the public or marketing themselves as professional locksmiths when they do not have the training, appropriate vetting, background or experience to make such a claim.”

The MLA is the third organisation to join SBD as an Affiliate Trade Association member, sitting alongside the Door and Hardware Federation and The Institute of Lighting Engineers.  As an Affiliate Trade Association member the MLA will have the opportunity to partake in SBD organised industry debate and events and provide industry input to ACPO, working with it to maximise security for the general public.

Jon Cole, National Operations Manager for Secured by Design said:  “We are extremely pleased that the MLA is joining the growing number of companies that belong to the SBD affiliate trade association member scheme.  The strategic alliance between the MLA and SBD will enable to two organisations to work together to promote physical security even more effectively.”

www.locksmiths.co.uk 

6th October 2010