The latest Crime Survey for England and Wales indicates that levels of both domestic and non-domestic burglary have remained fairly consistent over the past few years, having steadily decreased throughout the noughties. The statistics also estimate that homeowners are now four times less likely to be burgled than they were in 1995, and that around a third of reported break in attempts were unsuccessful.
Whilst the increase in security awareness and adoption of security systems is widely accepted to be behind this improvement, police report that most break ins still occur through a door, either by kicking it in or forcing the lock. With most customers still relying on one or two primary locks to secure their door, it’s time to give secondary security products a second look. Not only will this help maintain the currently low levels of burglary, it also offers locksmiths the opportunity to gain additional sales.
A doorway to securing sales
Rack bolts are a good first step for securing wooden doors top and bottom. Internal doors can also benefit from using door bolts or locks as it slows and inconveniences any would-be intruders. Multi-purpose door bolts perform a similar job to rack bolts and are ideally suited to patio doors, which are often used by burglars to remove bulky items. As the name implies, they also have a wider range of applications, and can be fitted to wooden, composite or metal doors that are either hinged or slide. Sterling’s surface mounted multi-purpose door bolt features a reversible bolt which slides into a concealed fixing, with the added flexibility of enabling an optional ventilation position.
Any locksmith will appreciate that it’s no use fitting strong security products to a weak door or frame, so advise your customers on additional steps they can take to strengthen their doors. Glass panels in doors are particularly vulnerable, so police advise fitting laminated glass which is much stronger. Locksmiths without a relationship with a local glazier/installer could consider carrying a roll of security film to stick over existing glass, which makes it harder to break.
A door with a view
Security chains are a simple yet effective security solution for preventing unwanted visitors from forcing their way in through an open door. Sterling’s range of door chains is suitable for fixing either to timber, composite or uPVC doors. Standard or heavy-duty options are available. A choice of either a chrome or brass finish means the Sterling door chains complement a wide range of existing door furniture.
Teamed with a security chain, a door viewer is essential for helping customers decide whether to open the door in the first place. Smart technology is playing an increasingly central role in both business and private lives and the digital revolution is making its way into secondary security systems. Combining a door bell and electronic door spyhole, the new door eGuard 8200 system from Burg-Wächter allows home owners to easily see who’s on the other side of the door, without the need for an expensive entry phone system.
A high quality 4” TFT screen provides a large clear image, whilst the infra-red capable camera boasts a 105 degree angle lens, to give a wide view even in low light conditions. In addition to activating a live feed, a still image is recorded whenever the door bell is pressed. The last 25 images can be stored on the device (plus up to 2,000 on an 8GB micro-SD card), allowing owners to keep a record of who called, even while they were out.
The door eGuard 8200 is compatible with most doors (38mm-110mm) and is a direct replacement for existing spyholes (14mm-26mm). There are no fiddly cables to route around the frame or inside the door, as power is supplied courtesy of 4x AAA batteries, which are easy for the home owner to replace.
A window of opportunity
After doors, the second most common entry point for burglars is a ground floor window. These should be secured with key-operated window locks to prevent them being opened, even if the glass is smashed. Sterling offers a range of additional window locks and sash jammers, many of which are also suitable for doors.
For customers looking for an integrated solution, Sterling also produces direct replacement uPVC locking window handles. Featuring a gradated spindle for easy fitting, Sterling’s locking handles are available with inline and offset options to suit all applications. The strong die cast handles have been subjected to extensive endurance and corrosion resistance testing to ensure they operate regardless of the weather and frequency of use. These window handles also provide a perfect opportunity for consumers to upgrade to new more contemporary designs.
Police recommend that any ladders should be secured to prevent them being used on upper windows that may not be locked. A ground anchor and locked cable/chain is ideal for securing ladders either inside or outside, are easy to fit and can make a useful additional sale for locksmiths.