While none of the experts is predicting growth in the door and window industry, there are growing opportunities for locksmiths in the security market.  Alan Bell of ERA, part of grouphomesafe, talks about some of the trends and opportunities offered to locksmiths in the retro-fit area.

The classic theory is that property crime rises faster in times of economic strife and, although at the beginning of the year, government statistics showed a surprise 8% fall in crime last year, those working closely with crime prevention bodies are still predicting an increase in crime as a result of cuts in government benefits.  There are also leading academics who say that there is still a strong relationship between crime and the economy, on the basis that the overall level of property crime largely reflects the size of the market for stolen or illicit goods, which in time of recession expands. 

While the threat of property crime is always there, awareness tends to vary according to the amount of high-profile media coverage we see. Typical of this was the flurry of media interest in 2012 when an edition of BBC TV Yorkshire’s Inside Out highlighted the situation in West Yorkshire which has the highest burglary rate in the UK. The programme discussed the ease with which criminals can snap a standard Euro cylinder. 

The story, which revealed the extent to which criminals were sharing their ‘expertise’ in snapping cylinder locks, was taken up by print and broadcast media across the country.  The nature of this type of crime, and the style and level of press coverage, can have a direct impact on the sale of security products as the public becomes aware of new threats.

Whether in reality levels of crime have fallen or will rise, there is certainly an increased awareness amongst the general public of security issues, fuelled by police initiatives, insurance requirements and, of course, media coverage.  For the locksmith industry, this awareness, coupled with tightened household budgets creates an area of opportunity.  While householders looking to increase the security of their property may not have the money to spare for new doors they can be open to solutions that make their existing doors more secure.  

The security industry made great strides in 2012 in developing standards.  For retro-fit situations, we saw the introduction of the new Technical Specification 007 (TS 007), produced by the Door & Hardware Federation and the Glass and Glazing Federation which was designed specifically to address the vulnerability of lock cylinders.

Meeting these standards, ERA introduced a number of products, including the Lockguard handle, which meets the standard’s two-star rating and the High Security handle, uniquely designed to protect the cylinder from attack.  Offering the best protection against cylinder bumping or snapping is the Vectis Plus, which does away completely with the cylinder and meets all the requirements of PAS 23/24 and Secured by Design with a five-lever lock operation.  It is products such as these that signal the opportunities in the retro-fit market.  It will require a degree of customer re-education and we shouldn’t just rely on media scare stories to increase awareness of new products. 

The great opportunity for locksmiths called in to repair or replace existing locks is to offer their
customers enhanced levels of security. Like-for-like replacement of the traditional mortice lock/nightlatch may be the easy option, but it is far from the best solution.  Security technology has moved on to such a degree that we can now offer customers cylinder-free solutions such as the Vectis Plus, the new British Standard Kitemarked Fortress MPL, high-security handles and anti-bump cylinders – a whole range of solutions which will increase add value to the locksmith’s offer by delivering heightened levels of security to their customers.

Security technology moves on all the time.  The market has already seen the introduction of keyless technology which is firmly established in the commercial sector and in multi-occupancy dwellings.  In reality, in the domestic sector, this technology is unlikely to have a significant impact in the foreseeable future.  Going forward, there will be a closer tie-in between electronics and locking systems and the next stage is likely to see the development of electronic fobs for remote locking of doors and windows.  Already firmly established in the automotive sector, this is likely to be less of a culture shock for the average householder than keyless technology.

For the immediate future, however, the emphasis in the market will be on offering enhanced levels of security to overcome issues such as cylinder bumping, snapping or drilling.  In addition to the products we already offer, ERA will continue to introduce new products aimed at the retro-fit market which will enable locksmiths to continue to offer their customers looking to upgrade the security of their homes an affordable, effective solutions.

Yale helps locksmiths with fishing solution

Yale is offering locksmiths a letter plate restrictor, which can reduce the risk of vandalism, theft and lock manipulation for consumers.

The letter plate restrictor from Yale prevents theft by reducing the opening of the letter plate and disabling would be criminals from inserting tools, which might otherwise retrieve possessions from the home.

Best known as 'key fishing', this particular type of crime is rising across the UK with burglars accessing keys to properties or vehicles through the letter plate.

The new product from Yale may be adjusted to allow full closure, part restriction or full opening of the letter plate, and comes with a two-year guarantee.

The product is compatible with the majority of letter plates, including those on wooden, PVC or composite doors, allowing locksmiths to cater for a broad range of potential customers.

David Herbert, Head of Marketing for Yale, said: "Everyone knows to lock their windows and doors for security, but not all of these people consider how a simple letter plate can provide access to their valuables too.

"With awareness of this issue on the rise, we have worked to develop a simple solution that locksmiths can add to their existing range of products which combat domestic crime and improve peace of mind."

Installing a CCTV system onto a home or property is becoming more and more prevalent and a popular way to protect homes against intruders. From comprehensive systems which connect to an interior television for complete surveillance, to the high-tech cameras which have infrared capabilities and a huge amount of memory storage, there are options for almost every property owner.

Not only do these camera systems offer the homeowners peace of mind, it has also been proven to work in the amount of cases which are publicised, where a burglar has been caught on home surveillance cameras and subsequently prosecuted.

Surveillance statistics highlight security value of spy cameras and other devices

Statistics have found a surprising fall in crime in the UK over the course of 2012, with 8% less crimes being committed last year; some of the lowest figures in recent memory.

The government research which was released on Thursday found that, despite predictions that the economic downturn would encourage a higher level of law-breaking and criminal activity, crime has fallen, making Britain is a marginally safer place. One of the factors of this report which stunned most people was the lower rate of property crime, with many speculating that the higher levels of security that people are choosing to install are having a real effect on the number of burglaries and cases of vandalism which occur.

This is a direct contradiction to the beliefs of many criminologists, who state that property crime is one of the first figures to rise during such times of economic volatility.

Many people across the country, disturbed by all-too-common accounts of burglary and intrusion, have taken to installing CCTV cameras and complex covert spy gadgets across their property to put off criminals from targeting their home and to catch and hopefully prosecute anyone who attempts to break in or damage their property. The installations, which can be as basic or extensive as the homeowner desires, are becoming more popular in many residential areas as neighbours club together to look out for one another and create a community spirit that has been missing for the last few decades.

Home security on the exterior of a house can involve many different spy cameras and other devices used to detect the presence of unwanted intruders. From fitting a video peephole viewer which magnifies the faces of those at the front door, to fixing a full CCTV system to the outside of the house in order to capture every inch of the property from different angles, there are many different approaches which people can take, from the basic to the complex.

For the interior of the house, many homeowners choose to fit alarm systems which can be triggered by sensors. Motion-activated alarms can be fitted to a wall or simply stood on a hard surface, masquerading as a clock, an image on the wall or even a light switch. These hidden spy cameras help to catch out those who are sneaking around at night unwanted, and they don't spoil the aesthetic of the home. These types of cameras can also be fixed to the interior of a car, so that if the car should be stolen, the camera can be activated to immediately track the culprit.

It is these innovations that are being attributed to the fall in crime, and experts are encouraging more people to revolutionise their home security by adding these types of gadgets, in order to see criminal activity fall even further.

Wireless CCTV launch 4G Live Video streaming mobile surveillance products

WCCTV, the manufacturer of portable, redeployable mobile surveillance solutions, has announced that it is the first to launch a 4G range of rapidly deployable solutions.

David Gilbertson, Managing Director of Wireless CCTV said, "I am delighted that we continue to maintain our market leading status as a provider of mobile surveillance solutions. It is great to be able to provide both existing and new customers with portable security systems, which will provide live video streaming at such an increased rate. The benefits of WCCTV portable systems increasingly outweigh fixed installations for many applications."

4G live video transmission is currently available across the whole of the WCCTV Dome and Tower product range as well as the 2 camera covert Micro system. Additional products will be 4G enabled in the near future and all existing 3G customers will be able to upgrade their products in the coming months.

The Wireless CCTV systems have been designed to operate on all 4G networks globally. WCCTV will be showcasing its 4G live video streaming products at Security and Policing, ISC West, Railtex and IFSEC over the coming weeks.

WCCTV was formed in the UK in 2001. The company is a market leading supplier of mobile surveillance products for Local and Central Governments, Police, Law Enforcement, Construction, Utility and Traffic organisations within the UK and Europe. It has won awards from the UK Home Office and a Queens Award for Enterprise: Innovation from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2009.

WCCTV launched in the US in 2011.

To find out more, please visit www.wcctv.co.uk