Notice Board
DES LOCKSMITHS: SECURITY UPDATES & WINTER TIPS FROM NICKY CROSSMAN
» FOR DECADES, DES LOCKSMITHS has been a trusted name across London and the South East- a family-run business with deep roots in security, innovation, and reliability. We first featured DES back in April, when they launched their Golden Key Secure initiative. This month, we caught up with joint owner Nicky Crossman for an update on what’ s new, and valuable tips on how locksmiths can diversify their offering as winter sets in.
Growing Strong & Staying Grounded
DES Locksmiths, based in Canvey Island, Essex, continues to thrive under the leadership of brothers Nicky and Lee Crossman. Over the past year, the business has strengthened its position as one of the UK’ s leading suppliers and installers of access control and high-security locking systems for housing associations( HAs), local authorities( LAs), and commercial clients.
“ About 90 % of what we do is securing communal areas,” Nicky explains.“ We’ re still working closely with housing associations and councils across London and Essex, and we’ ve expanded into new services like Wayfinder signage and fire door maintenance. These not only meet client demand but also create great opportunities for locksmiths to diversify their offering.”
The Golden Key Keeps Shining The Golden Key Secure system, first introduced as a safer alternative to traditional fire brigade( FB) keys, continues to gain momentum. Every London Fire Brigade appliance now carries a Golden Key, and DES has supplied thousands more across Essex and beyond.
“ The Golden Key is going from strength to strength,” Nicky says.“ We’ ve had a large influx of locksmiths and companies coming on board. It’ s great to see others embracing the system, as it genuinely improves safety and access control for everyone involved.”
The original issue, he explains, came from the misuse of FB drop keys.“ People were buying them online for a few pounds on Ebay( cheaper than buying from the HA) and using them for the wrong reasons- sometimes even giving them to kids. We’ ve seen drop keys fail when the fire brigade actually need access. It’ s frustrating to see HAs spend tens of thousands on a new communal door, only to fit it with a weak link like a drop key system.”
DES continues to educate its clients on upgrading their properties to highsecurity cylinders, carrying out proper routine maintenance, and robust key control- the foundations of what Nicky calls the‘ golden thread’ of security.
Safety in Communal Spaces With the darker months approaching, Nicky stresses the importance of proactive maintenance for landlords and property managers.“ Communal cupboards that house electrical equipment should never be used as storage for scooters, bikes, or personal belongings. It’ s dangerous and it’ s becoming too common,” he warns.
He urges locksmiths who work with housing providers to have conversations about securing these areas.“ We’ ve got socket covers designed to prevent misuse, and we can supply replacement or upgraded lock cylinders for FB cupboards and communal doors. These are small, straightforward upgrades that make a big difference.”
He adds that back gates, bike stores, and basement areas often go overlooked.“ Simple things like ensuring door closers work, removing snibs from back doors, and fitting door alarms if they’ re left open too long can dramatically reduce antisocial behaviour and vandalism.”
Nicky also points to a recurring issue: residents leaving doors on the latch, for example“ A tenant living on the 15th floor orders a Deliveroo and leaves the entrance door open for their takeaway driver, it can be
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DECEMBER 2025
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