Dear Tony
26th May 2015

Having kicked off and grown rapidly to epidemic proportions in West Yorkshire, lock snapping has spread across the country.

A recent article in the Sutton Coldfield Observer shows that it is now gathering momentum in Birmingham. It reports of a police warning for the public to be ‘extra vigilant’ following a series of lock snapping attacks in the suburb of Erdington over the course of one weekend. You’ll find the full report here: http://bit.ly/1KhWN7u. The article clearly assumes homeowners in Erdington are familiar with lock snapping as a quick and easy way of breaking and entering.

The bulk of installed cylinder locks provide no protection against knowledgeable burglars. Robust door construction and impressively strong hooks and shoot bolts are useless when the cylinder is breached. If you know how, a burglar can snap a lock and be inside in well under a minute. If you’ve left your car keys in view on a hall table they can even drive off with your valuables in your own vehicle.

Most of the industry thinks this is a problem of the past, believing today’s anti-snap 3-star cylinders protect against break-ins. But most ‘anti-snap’ cylinders can be easily and quickly snapped. Burglars learn their weak points and can enter in well under a minute.

We can’t stop people trying to break in, but we can install cylinders that stop them. Surely our priorities are wrong when we sell £2,000 to £3,000 doors with £3 cylinders that enable burglars to walk right in when they feel like it?

Brisant’s Ultion anti-snap cylinder is one of only two cylinders to have achieved Sold Secure Diamond. It’s a real life test operated by the MLA, the Master Locksmiths Association. If a team of locksmiths using any tools they like can break in, you’ve failed. If they can’t find a way to break in, you pass. I think most homeowners would like that low-cost real-life protection and reassurance. If it was your home, I think you’d like it too?

Sincerely,

Steve Stewart
Director
Brisant Secure