Anger at ‘burglar’s dream’ lock-picking kits on open sale
October 2016

The Door and Hardware Federation has joined the outcry against online retailers openly selling lock-picking tools including full instructions, saying the phenomenon is further proof that door manufacturers and installers should use higher spec locks as standard.

The response follows the revelation in a Sunday newspaper that kits can be bought online for as little as £2, with some kits disguised as pens to escape police searches, and some adverts even carrying the written endorsement of unashamed burglars. Both police and the Master Locksmiths’ Association condemned such sales. The MLA described the kits as ‘a burglar’s dream’.

DHF CEO Bob Perry said “The ability to purchase thieves’ tools on the internet, and the opportunity to go online to learn lock attack methods, has been a concern to police, lock manufacturers and security professionals for some time. The online availability of lock picks just adds to the burglars’ armoury of equipment they can obtain to attack door locks.”

He added that the TS 007 standard was established to combat such threats: “Locksmiths and security specialists are increasingly advising their clients to replace Eurocylinders with TS 007 rated cylinders and handles to provide a three-star domestic security solution.”

The Federation says that, in addition to lock picks, other types of equipment attractive to burglars, such as bump keys, are freely available from online retailers. There are also instruction manuals and videos demonstrating lock snapping and other methods of lock attack that can be downloaded from the internet.

Sites selling these tools say their sale is not in itself illegal, though police point out that intending to steal, also known as ‘going equipped’ is an offence and can lead to prosecution.