A new lock defence fluid has been created to protect against lock bumping - a widespread break-in technique. There are 20 million homes and 4 million commercial properties in the UK. Each has on average 3 locks. Of those approximately 65% are susceptible to lock bumping.
[UKPRwire, Wed Jun 04 2008] Lock bumping, a widespread, yet worryingly low-profile crime practice which leaves victims unable to make insurance claims, is to face new opposition from “Pickbuster” a low-cost lock defence product created by UAP, a leading hardware firm based in Greater Manchester.
Covered widely by the media in the US and Europe, UK homeowners and tenants are largely unaware of the lock bumping technique, which has been recognised for over 50 years ago as a legitimate way for lock smiths to open doors.
Bump-keys and tips on mastering the technique are widely available on the internet (currently there are over half a million sites mentioning lock bumping) giving criminals an easy way to break-in, which leaves no trace of forced entry. As a result, home insurance policies are invalid.
In recognition of the problem, new PAS 23-24 British Standards Institution (BSI) door security standards to be implemented from 2008-2010, will ensure that all new doors are fitted with bump-proof locks as standard. However, people unable to afford new doors or replacement locks will still be vulnerable to lock bumping.
Pickbuster, a high-density fluid which acts as a shock-absorber for the pins in the cylinder lock mechanism, stops the lock being “fooled” into opening by bump keys. Users simply squirt the Pickbuster solution into all their cylinder locks, commonly used on front and rear house doors, garage doors and padlocks.
To help to raise awareness of the problem and launch the Pickbuster product, actor, Sean Wilson best known as Coronation Street’s Martin Platt, has been recruited to star in Pickbuster’s new advert which can be viewed at www.pickbuster.co.uk
Says Chris Pankhurst, co-creator of Pickbuster: “There is not enough awareness of this crime which targets vulnerable people in society. We are finding people blaming themselves, thinking they have absent-mindedly left their door open, when in fact they have been lock bumped. Consequently their goods are gone and they are unable to claim on their home insurance policy.
“The police and Neighbourhood Watch are aware of the problem, but as lock bumping leaves no trace of forced entry, it’s hard to quantify the scale of the problem.”
For more information on the lock bumping problem and the Pickbuster product, visit www.pickbuster.co.uk.
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Editor’s Notes:
About UAP
UAP is a leading supplier of door hardware and decorative glass products for the global construction industry. The firm also invests in new product development and supplies innovative home security products for the public, which can be viewed at www.universal-imports.com
Lock Bumping information sources
www.lockbumping.org – Public information site
www.youtube.com – Demonstrations of the technique
http://www.citynews.ca/news - US news coverage w/c 13.05.08
http://www.abc15.com/content/news – US news coverage w/c 13.05.08
