| You may have seen recent reports on television | | | | cylinder. These devices used in conjunction with a |
| news or in the newspapers of a weakness in the | | | | Break Secure or SnapSafe cylinder will ensure the |
| locks on PVCu doors. The weakness is currently | | | | methods currently being used are ineffective. |
| being exploited by burglars in some areas of the | | | | The risk of forced entry via the methods used is |
| UK, notably the West Yorkshire Police area. To | | | | reduced if the cylinder fitted is of the correct size |
| our knowledge, such attacks are not yet | | | | and properly fitted. However often when cylinders |
| common place in the Hampshire, West Sussex | | | | have been replaced in the past it is found that an |
| and Dorset areas. | | | | incorrect size has been used leaving the door |
| This is a problem which is growing around the | | | | vulnerable. It is recommended that the euro |
| country; various methods are used by the | | | | profile cylinder should not protrude outside of the |
| burglars using simple everyday tools, allowing | | | | door furniture any more than 2-3mm. |
| them to exploit an inherent flaw in the design of | | | | Remember burglars always choose the easy |
| these Euro Profile Cylinders. The cylinders can be | | | | option! |
| overcome in a matter of seconds and although | | | | In order to ensure you do not become one of |
| we know the methods used we will not disclose | | | | the many victims of this type of forced entry |
| these methods in any detail, as a precaution | | | | review your current door cylinders now and |
| against "copy-cat" burglaries. | | | | consider upgrading your cylinders to the newly |
| The lock in question is not of any particular make, | | | | available ‘Break Secure' or SnapSafe ranges |
| but is the type of lock fitted to the majority of | | | | currently available or fit an additional Cylinder |
| UPVC, PVCu and some wooden doors throughout | | | | Security Device or Enhancer to your existing |
| the world, it is commonly known as a Euro Profile | | | | cylinder. |
| Cylinder. It is the part which provides the key | | | | In the meantime, ensure you DEADLOCK your |
| operation to the multi-point locking mechanism | | | | doors whenever your home is unattended. We |
| fitted to the door. No matter how secure or | | | | also advise that a door chain be fitted and used |
| elaborate the multi-point locking mechanism is, if | | | | on the main entrance door when the house is |
| the cylinder is compromised the multi-point lock | | | | occupied and if PVCu doors are fitted to other |
| can be opened in seconds without difficulty. | | | | areas consider fitting additional internal secondary |
| All major Lock Manufacturers are now working | | | | bolts as an alternative to replacing the cylinders. |
| hard to find solutions to the problem. | | | | Other sensible precautions include ensuring that |
| Currently there are limited products on the | | | | any keys (particularly car keys) are not left |
| market to combat this form of attack. Two | | | | where they can be found by burglars. (The most |
| major lock manufacturers notably Mul-T-Lock and | | | | common method of car theft is by breaking into |
| Squire have produced a new design of cylinder | | | | homes and stealing the keys). Other portable |
| which ensures the cylinder snaps at a | | | | valuables should also be removed from vulnerable |
| predetermined position leaving the door still | | | | areas. |
| secured and requiring the use of the correct key | | | | A safe will compliment any form of security to |
| to unlock the door. Mul-T-Locks range of anti | | | | the property by reducing the risk of sentimental |
| snapping cylinders are called ‘Break Secure' | | | | and valuable items being taken should a burglar |
| and Squire's range are called ‘Snapsafe' | | | | gain entry. Securing small valuables can save a |
| Although this design of cylinder is still not 100% | | | | great deal of inconvenience and upset and it is |
| guaranteed to prevent all the methods of attack | | | | recommended that you keep spare keys, |
| used on PVCu doors. It will prevent the most | | | | passports, jewellery, cameras etc. locked in a |
| common methods slowing down the burglars | | | | safe. |
| attempts and making it considerably more difficult, | | | | For guidance and advice from reputable qualified |
| therefore increasing the chance of him giving up. | | | | locksmith's only choose a locksmith that is a |
| In addition to these cylinders some manufacturers | | | | member of the Master Locksmith Association |
| notably Squire and ERA are producing cylinder | | | | whose members would be pleased to offer |
| enhancers or cylinder security devices. Various | | | | advice and guidance, without obligation on any |
| designs are available to suit PVCu and composite | | | | aspects of your properties physical security. |
| doors these consist of a metal surround which is | | | | By using an MLA approved company you are |
| secured to the existing cylinder underneath the | | | | assured that the locksmith you employ is of the |
| door handle. ERA's range is possibly the most | | | | highest standard of Integrity and that the work |
| secure, with the designs securing through the | | | | undertaken will be carried out to very high |
| door to sandwich the cylinder in place making it | | | | standards. |
| virtually impossible to remove the ‘snapped' | | | | |