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source: http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/News-Releases-2012/21-02-2012-Lock-Snapping.html

Police Advice on Lock Snapping

As a direct result of the BBC Inside Out programme aired Monday 20 February 2012 Lincolnshire Police have issued the following information.

What is Lock snapping ?

As the title would suggest this is where the lock cylinder is literally snapped into two by applying torque i.e. force to the cylinder.

There are a number of ways and also tools to enable this to be done suffice to say that double euro cylinder lock due to their design, are inherently weak at the centre. Thieves have taken advantage of this lock and devised numerous methods of snapping these types of cylinders locks in a matter of seconds and still be able to operate the lock to open the door.

It is estimated that over 22 million doors across the UK could be at risk from a method of attack where the lock cylinder can be broken in just five seconds.

Although for obvious reasons the exact tools or methods used by burglars to snap the Euro-Profile (or European Profile) style cylinder should not be revealed, knowledge of how to do so is widespread and has been increasingly used nationally.

Lincolnshire though is one of the safest counties to live in and the numbers of this method type of burglary is minimal compared to other areas.

No matter how secure the locking mechanism is it can easily be overcome once the cylinder has been removed and many burglars know they can easily defeat conventional cylinders in seconds, using simple everyday tools.

This threat can be considerably reduced simply by upgrading the cylinder to one that is specifically designed to prevent this method of attack and we recommend that all vulnerable doors using Euro-Profile cylinders be upgraded to incorporate ‘Break Secure’ cylinders.

Anti Snap Cylinders

Anti Snap cylinders, are specifically designed to combat the growing threat of unauthorised entry whereby the criminals ‘snap’ the Euro-Profile style cylinder commonly fitted to most uPVC and Patio doors.

A cylinder has been designed that although it will snap, it will snap in a predetermined position leaving intact a portion of the cylinder that will still provide security and still require key operation to open, thus preventing the easy manipulating of the locking system.

Solution

A qualified locksmith can offer a full installation and upgrade service to meet your needs; or a replacement anti snap euro cylinder can be purchased from any recognised DIY store.

Replacement lock cylinders should meet all parts of the exacting British Standard Kitemark (BS EN 1303:2005) accreditation scheme.

read more.. http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/News-Releases-2012/21-02-2012-Lock-Snapping.html

Abbey Locksmiths now able offer replacement Yale British Standard ‘Anti Snap’ euro cylinders for any type upvc door, wooden door or aluminium door. Please contact us on 0800 052 0775 for a free quote.

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source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-17075027

A quarter of all burglaries in West Yorkshire are being committed by criminals using a technique called “lock snapping”, police have revealed.

Since 2009, there has been a rise in the technique, which involves applying force and snapping the cylinder in two.

West Yorkshire Police said it was mainly prevalent with euro cylinder locks and urged concerned residents to seek crime prevention advice.

Ex-burglar Peter Findlay said snapping the lock was “simpler and quicker”.

Mr Findlay, who now works with police to help them with crime prevention tactics, told the BBC’s Inside Out programme: “If I had the best lock picks in England I wouldn’t bother using them, I’d just snap the lock.”

‘Vulnerable’ locks

Police said the technique first emerged in Bradford a couple of years ago and now accounted for more than a quarter of all burglaries across the force area.

Figures for December show that 27% of all burglaries across the county involved lock snapping on euro cylinders.

Euro cylinder locks are fitted to millions of properties, usually UPVC and other double glazed doors.

Ch Supt Paul Money, from West Yorkshire Police, said: “These locks are vulnerable to this type of attack but it can take between 50 seconds and two minutes to force the lock.

“It you’re unsure about the standard and quality of your locks, contact your local crime reduction officer who will provide advice free of charge or contact some of the not for profit organisations of which there are a number in West Yorkshire.”

The Association of Chief Police Officers are working with the door and lock industry to come up with a new British standard for locks.

Mr Money said: “What we want to do is ensure that the new British standard locks are a lot stronger and can resist attack.

“I wouldn’t want to put a specific time frame on it but currently the testing is extensive and the new locks are now in the process of being tested.”

Neil Goldup, managing director of security organisation Community Action and Support Against Crime (CASAC), said: “My one wish would be to get rid of these cylinders.”

read more.. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-17075027

Abbey Locksmiths now able offer replacement Yale British Standard ‘Anti Snap’ euro cylinders for any type upvc door, wooden door or aluminium door. Please contact us on 0800 052 0775 for a free quote.

Locksmith London