ACCESS CONTROL
ABLOY UK HIGHLIGHTS URGENT NEED FOR ENHANCED SECURITY ACROSS HIGHWAYS INFRASTRUCTURE
Instances of metal theft , graffiti , and property damage have been steadily rising , with critical infrastructure such as construction sites and transport assets being frequent targets .
» FOR EXAMPLE , THE CONSTRUCTION industry faces an estimated annual loss of £ 800 million due to theft 1 , with 92 % of construction site managers reporting theft and 91 % experiencing vandalism on their sites 2 .
What ’ s more , bridges and tunnels , particularly in remote or less trafficked areas , are vulnerable to graffiti , arson , and damage from unauthorised access . Underbridges and viaducts often require costly repairs due to vehicle impact or intentional damage 3 .
The loss or damage of infrastructure due to criminal activity not only leads to expensive repairs but can also severely disrupt the transportation network , impact the economy , and jeopardise public safety .
David Rock , Market Development Manager – Transport , at Abloy UK , explains : “ These statistics demonstrate the urgent need for robust security and access control solutions across highways and transportation networks . With these vital assets at heightened risk , it ’ s imperative that measures are implemented to protect them from potential disruptions and maintain public safety .
“ To address these issues , we are advising that these types of assets within the highways infrastructure are secured with either superior mechanical , electromechanical or digital locking solutions , to mitigate the risk of theft , damage or vandalism .”
With this in mind , it is recommended that mechanical padlocks used in highways environments are rated to LPS 1654 Issue 1.0 . This is the latest LPCB standard for physical security and is seen as the ultimate test for padlocks , incorporating the most stringent physical attack tests , intentionally designed to meet the security needs of the UK ’ s critical infrastructure .
Padlocks that achieve LPCB approval to LPS 1654 have performed effectively in rigorous test programmes conducted
by the BRE ’ s highly experienced team of attack testers .
The benefit of LPS 1654 is that the locks are tested to mirror , as closely as possible , the types of attacks that a padlock might encounter in the real world , as opposed to a laboratory .
Padlocks should be graded 1 - 4 and have the “+” security rating , demonstrating that the padlock also meets the requirements defined in Annex A 6 of BS 3621 : 2007 + A2 2012 and manipulation resistance class 1 defined in LP1242 Issue 2 .
Abloy UK can play a critical role in enhancing security through advanced access control solutions . Its robust , highsecurity locks and access management systems offer security solutions that are resistant to tampering .
Abloy ’ s mechanical locks utilise patented disc detainer mechanisms , providing enhanced protection against drilling , picking , and other tampering methods . They are tested to LPS 1654 Issue 1.0 and a range of padlocks with security ratings ranging from 2 + to 4 + are available .
Built with rugged materials , the Abloy mechanical locks are also designed to endure extreme weather and resist corrosion and boast IP68 ingress protection rating , making them suitable for use on bridges , tunnels , and other exposed infrastructure elements .
Plus , the company ’ s patented key systems allow access permissions to be controlled by issuing specific keys to authorised individuals only , helping to prevent unauthorised entry and deterring vandalism .
With Abloy ’ s digital solutions such as PROTEC2 CLIQ and BEAT digital keyless padlock , organisations can take access control one step further and monitor and manage access permissions remotely . This ensures that only authorised personnel with the correct key can gain access to critical areas .
These systems also provide efficient key management , reducing the risk of lost or stolen keys by offering secure , digital alternatives . With programmable electronic keys , any access permissions can be easily updated or revoked as needed , ensuring quick response times and better control over who can access specific locations .
Furthermore , every time an electromechanical or digital key is used it generates an audit trail allowing identification of who has accessed which asset .
All Abloy locks require minimal maintenance and do not rely on power sources , reducing the need for frequent inspections and lowering long-term operating costs . This makes them a practical choice for remote or difficult-toreach locations .
www . abloy . com
Sources : 1 https :// www . wcctv . co . uk / construction-site-theft-statistics-and-how-to-avoid-becoming-one / | 2 https :// www . construction . co . uk / construction-news / 96709 / industryloses-millions-every-year-due-to-theft-vandalism-and-health-and-safety- | 3 https :// nationalhighways . co . uk / our-work / historical-railways-estate / maintenance-and-assessment /
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JANUARY 2025
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