We recently highlighted the vulnerability of euro cylinders from Snapping, so we were totally amazed to learn that tools developed for the locksmiths industry are being sold to the general public.
Brighouse based Avocet Hardware which manufactures the ABS snap secure cylinder and other manufacturers together with various locksmiths and security companies are putting pressure to change this.
Avocet director, Dr Tinkle Jain said recently: “Lock snapping is fast becoming the most popular means of entry into UK homes, meaning untold misery for millions of home owners every year, but for some reason AMAZON sees fit to sell such products that enable thieves to bypass the vast majority of locks on the market”.
In a recent report by West Yorkshire Police, they stated 27% of burglaries in their region could be attributed to lock snapping. More recently, a number of other forces have unofficially stated that over 50% of burglaries are a direct result of snapping.
Because of this, more and more manufacturers have ploughed millions of pounds into products aimed at keeping us all safe and secure which with the likes of AMAZON undermining all our efforts makes you wonder why.
In our view, these tools should only be available to locksmiths who have undertaken a legally registered training course and are trading as a locksmith. We also feel that trading locksmiths should have to be registered and regulated in the same manner as the gas engineer or electrician and would welcome any change in that direction.
We call the government to act, NOW
and ensure that the Locksmithing trade is regulated and made a secure trade where the public can have faith in their local locksmith company. We also request the likes of AMAZON and any other company selling such items to remove them from their websites and its shelves, otherwise they might as well start selling do it yourself kits containing black balaclavas, gloves and swag bags!!
