Industry News
A THIRD OF
BRITS DO NOT
ENHANCE
SECURITY
OF HOME
ENTRYWAYS
What are the best bits about
being a locksmith?
It’s probably a cliché but I like
to help people. I had a call out
where a mother had locked herself
out whilst her young child was
in a high chair eating without
supervision. She was frantic as I
arrived. We gained entry rapidly
but also without causing damage.
Understandably she was very
happy.
What are the WORST!?
Some domestic issues can get a
bit tricky you need to sometimes
retreat and remain calm whilst
all around you are not. Attending
burglaries is also difficult. I
attended a burglary where the
owner’s father’s medals had been
stolen, and as a veteran myself I
understood how much they meant
to him.
What advice would you give
to anyone wanting to be a
locksmith, and in particular
starting their own business?
Formulate a solid business plan,
get your courses completed. Do
not expect to be earning £40k off
the bat and prepare to work hard.
What advice would you give
yourself now when you were first
starting out?
Should have done it sooner.
And, what’s the best advice
you’ve ever been given?
Don’t flap, the locked door might
not always be the entry point and
always go to pick first.
How was 2019 for you?
2019 has been a solid year with
growth to the client list and to the
business income. We also won
bronze in the Veterans Awards
for Small business of the Year so
we are all very proud of what has
been achieved.
More than a third of Brits do
not do anything to improve
the security of their home’s
entrances, according to
recent research. In 2019 it
was reported that 67% of
burglars break in through
a door, while 21% of all
burglars who manage
to get in had done so by
opening an unlocked door.
What’s in store for 2020?
Looking at developing a training
course, business growth and
hopefully another solid year ahead
of us.
How do you unwind and spend
your time off?
I am currently working six days
a week, however, with any down
time I spend either writing, seeing
to admin, or thinking about the
gym…
And finally, is there anything else
you’d like to add?
Locksmithing and owning my
own business has been a form of
therapy and has definitely helped
in my continued recovery from
PTSD, it has given me a sense of
purpose.
» DESPITE THIS, IN A RECENT SURVEY
conducted by bifold door manufacturers Vufold,
34% of respondents confessed to not doing
anything to make the doors of their home more
secure.
Although over a quarter of people said they
ensure the door locks meet British standards
(BS3621), only 15% had taken the liberty of fitting
additional locks. Nearly one in ten respondents
had fitted door alarms to prevent break-ins.
However, an alarm system must be kept up-
to-date. Previous research found that an ‘old
battered alarm system’ could entice burglars as
it gives the impression it is not used or working
properly. A further 8% of survey respondents had
installed a security light above the door to ward
off intruders.
JAN/FEB 2020
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