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Burglars' new trick threatens millions of homes
Exclusive By Bruce Smith MILLIONS of homes across Britain are at risk from burglary because of a design weakness in a door cylinder lock.
A bold method of using a simple tool to smash the Europrofile design cylinder, which often controls sophisticated locking systems on double glazed doors, is being increasingly used by raiders in the last two years.
Burglars are able to smash the cylinder and then remove it.
Now a race against time is going on between lock makers to produce alternative or upgraded systems to foil the raiders. One leading manufacturer has a replacement cylinder it hopes to market later this year.
A huge proportion of British homes have at least one Europrofile cylinder lock.
West Yorkshire Police have been a leading force in urging the lock industry to develop upgraded mechanism to prevent thieves from foiling the locks.
Versions of the Europrofile design are produced under licence by most of the leading lock manufacturers including prestigious makers such as the Assa Abloy group which includes the Yale, Chubb and Union ranges.
Many of the locks operate security systems such as hook-locks and dead bolts which have helped cut burglaries.
But this new burglary technique now threatens to undermine security, potentially posing a similar threat to the old "brace and bit burglary" technique.
"There is not going to be just one 'fix all' solution," said an experienced security expert.
A spokesman for Yale, Chubb and Union said the only way to completely stop such cylinders being smashed would be to make them of titanium – one of the hardest known metals – but because of the cost implications that was never going to happen.
But sister company Mul-t-lock has been working on a new cylinder which is designed to still snap cleanly when attacked, but to remain within the lock to prevent the door being opened, said the spokesman.
The cost of the new cylinder is expected to be significantly higher than the old style.
Other companies are believed to be working on beefing up the handle faceplates of their locks to prevent the cylinder being attacked and damaged, though such protection may have its limits.
Det Insp John Minary, West Yorkshire Police's Chief Crime Reduction Officer,said: "We have been taking positive action with the double glazing industry for some time now to try and resolve this problem. Your local crime reduction officer can also offer advice on how to make your home more secure and can be contacted on 0845 6060606."
The Association of Chief Police Officers is understood to be involved in the process of trying to overcome the flaw in the lock design.
bruce.a.smith@ypn.co.uk
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