28 • A DAY IN THE LIFE...
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Following in
the Footsteps
5. What would your one top
tip for home security be?
Firstly, I would say always
use an MLA-approved
locksmith and secondly make
sure you use any security
features that you have on
your home. It’s better to use
them and never need them
than to not use them and
wish you had!
The three generations of owners at Dennis
Security. Dennis started the company in 1959
and the name is still proudly used today.
» » THE MASTER LOCKSMITH
Association (MLA) quizzes
one of its locksmith members,
Matt Stokes of Dennis
Security in East London, on
his top tips for home security,
the ups and downs of his job
and the weirdest situations
locksmithing has gowtten him
into.
Matt has locksmithing
in his blood – he’s a third-
generation locksmith whose
mum, Val Stokes, retired from
her role as president of the
MLA last year and he recently
won the Nigel Rose Bowl
award for best exam results.
Here, Matt answers five
questions to give us an insight
to his daily life.
1. What’s the one
security mistake you find
homeowners often make?
Not locking their UPVC
door correctly. Most people
either just pull the door shut
or pull it shut and lift the
handle, but with most UPVC
doors that doesn’t lock it.
You need to lift the handle,
turn the key and remove the
key from the door to secure
it properly. Leaving keys in
locks or on hall tables where
they can be seen through
letter flaps or windows is
another common security
mistake.
2. Why did you choose to
become a locksmith?
I’m a third-generation
locksmith, following in the
footsteps of my dad and
granddad. I’ve been involved
with locks for as long as I
can remember – working
Saturdays and school
holidays – I’ve always loved
every minute!
3. What are the best and
worst parts of the job?
The hours can be very
unsocial. Many a time I’ve had
to cancel a night out or been
late somewhere because I’ve
had to get a job completed or
ensure a building is secure.
The best bit is that every
day is different. I get to travel
around the country and even
travel abroad – I’ve been in
buildings and seen things
most people will never get to
experience
4. What’s the weirdest
job you’ve ever been
called out to?
Working in London out of
hours and on call outs you
get to see some sights. It’s
amazing the ‘other’ worlds
you see at 3am on a Saturday
morning. One of my recent
jobs was in a sewage works
– for a week… that was
different!
ABOUT DENNIS
SECURITY CENTRE
“Our ethos is one of fully
understanding our clients’
needs and sensitivity,
translating these into
practical security of the
highest standard,” explains
Matt.
Dennis Security Centre
staff are able to offer
advice on simple security
needs through to complex
corporate requirements.
The Company can manage
security in a cost-effective
manner to the level required,
from a single night latch to
fully automated multi door
access systems.
“We have been helping
people feel safe since
1959 and pride ourselves
on giving a professional
service,” Matt continues. “Our
modern showroom, plus fully
equipped workshop and
vans, enable our customers
to view and test our up to
date technology. Dennis
security is an inspected
and approved member
of the Master Locksmith
Association. We use only fully
qualified locksmiths so our
customers can be ‘secure in
the knowledge’ of those that
advise them and attend their
premises,” Matt concludes.
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | MAR/APR 2017
Sponsored by Insafe International
What is the Master Locksmiths
Association (MLA)?
The Master Locksmiths
Association (MLA) is a non-
profit making body; established
to set and promote standards
of conduct, practice and
materials within locksmithing.
It also encourages its
members to further their
knowledge through ongoing
education, regional meetings,
seminars and the information
disseminated through its
membership magazine.
Standards of entry to the
MLA are high and its motto of
“Skill and Integrity” emphasise
its determination to ensure that
the public, government and
industry receive the correct
service and advice on security
matters from its members.
As well as the significant
promotion that is on offer to
Approved Company members
through the highly ranking
“Find a Locksmith” website
and the MLA Handbook,
which gets distributed to
insurers, police, government
departments, consumer
organisations etc., there are
various other benefits that all
members can enjoy.
For more information on
the Master Locksmiths
Association and to find out
how Approved Company
status can benefit you visit:
www.locksmiths.co.uk or email:
[email protected]