Media information

August 25, 2015

UK lockmakers meet the lock attack challenge

UK police are continuing to warn householders about the vulnerability of domestic entrance door locks which burglars can defeat in seconds in order to break in.

They are advising householders to have their locks inspected professionally, especially those found on front and back doors made from PVC-u and composite materials, which form a high proportion of domestic entrance doors in the UK.

The Door & Hardware Federation, which represents the UK's leading manufacturers of locks and door hardware, is advising locksmiths and security professionals that householders are becoming increasingly aware of cylinder snapping.

The method exploits a weakness in the Eurocylinder which is typically used in locks found in PVC-u and composite doors. Manufacturers have met the challenge and now offer locksmiths a wide range of lock cylinders and door handles which provide enhanced resistance against cylinder snapping and other forms of lock attack.

Michael Skelding is the general manager and secretary of the Door & Hardware Federation. He said: "According to West Yorkshire police, cylinder snapping is used in 20 to 25% of all burglaries in their region. Police forces in other areas of the country are warning householders that their homes could be at risk from this form of attack.

"It is estimated there are 45 million residential entrance doors in the UK. Almost70 per cent of these have a Eurocylinder at the heart of the lock and so are vulnerable to snapping and other methods of lock attack which have been revealed extensively on the internet.

"In response, the DHF - on behalf of the UK lock industry - has worked with BSI, Secured by Design and other industry organisations to develop standards for uprated lock cylinders and door handles and to ensure there is ready availability of these products."

Locksmiths and security professionals should look for either the TS 007 Kitemark or the PAS 3621 Kitemark specification to ensure resistance against lock snapping. If the complete door assembly has been certified to PAS 24 specification, then the cylinder will already be secure against snapping and other forms of lock attack and the cylinder will not need changing.

The TS 007 standard uses star ratings and is subject to certification by the BSI Kitemark. TS 007 is a three star solution. Security to the TS 007 standard can be achieved by either a combination of a cylinder (marked with one star) and security door furniture such as a strengthened door handle (marked with two stars); or a "super cylinder" (marked with three stars) that successfully resists snap attack without the need to fit a strengthened door handle. In both cases, the same degree of resistance against attack is provided.

The PAS 3621 specification is designed specifically for entrance doors which have multipoint lock mechanisms and is also subject to certification by the BSI Kitemark. On doors which can only be locked from the outside, the equivalent lock specification is PAS 8621. A multipoint lock tested to PAS 3621 and PAS 8621 will guard against lock snapping and other methods of lock attack.

For more information on TS 007 and PAS 3621 visitwww.dhfonline.org.uk.

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Note to editors: The TS 007 standard was developed by the DHF and the Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF), in consultation withSecured by Design (the Association of Chief Police Officers'crime prevention initiative), the British Standards Institution (BSI), and other leading industry organisations. The DHF PAS 3621 specification was developed by the DHF to extend the equivalent BS 3621 levels of security offered on timber and metal doors to PVC-u doors which employ multipoint locks.

The DHF represents all the key players in the following sectors: locks & architectural hardware, industrial/commercial doors, garage doors, powered gates and metal & timber doorsets. With the ultimate aim of maintaining and raising quality standards throughout the industry, all DHF members must meet minimum standards of competence and customer service. They all operate within a Code of Conduct governing standards of workmanship, quality assurance, training, safety, business integrity and CE marking compliance.

Issued on behalf of the DHF by

Ainsworth Public Relations

0161 427 3861

guy@ainsworth-pr.co.uk

Door & Hardware Federation

01827 52337

www.dhfonline.org.uk

PICTURE CAPTION

This lock cylinder displays the Kitemark and three stars, indicating it is rated to TS 007 and offers three star protection against lock attack.