JOINT CAMPAIGN FROM DHF AND SECURED BY DESIGN TO HELP CUT CRIME

Article first published 15/04/2010

The UK’s lock and door makers have forged a strategic alliance with Secured by Design to further raise the standards of hardware security products available in the UK.  
 
The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF), which represents manufacturers and suppliers of doors, shutters, locks and door ironmongery products, is the first trade association to become a member of Secured by Design, the police and Home Office crime prevention organisation. In turn, Secured by Design has become an affiliate member of the DHF.  
 
The two organisations have joined forces to raise awareness of the wide range of door and hardware security available to combat both residential and commercial crime.  
 
“The economic turndown and rising unemployment has led to an increase in property crime, especially burglary,” said DHF chairman Bob Perry. He said this had been compounded by the availability on the internet of descriptions of the latest cylinder lock attack techniques.  
 
“Members of the DHF are ideally placed to provide not only improved locks, but also security products such as security shutters, doors for industrial and commercial premises and domestic garage doors,” said Perry.  
 
“Our joined up approach on security makes our members the first choice for those seeking security door and hardware solutions, and our alliance with Secured by Design reflects this.”  
 
The DHF has already begun an awareness campaign amongst locksmiths, specifiers, security installers, retailers and other building professionals. Now, the alliance with Secured by Design will enable the federation to spread the word to police crime prevention officers.  
 
Currently the DHF and Secured by Design are producing a downloadable guide to the prevention of cylinder lock attack for building professionals. A future result of the DHF/Secured by Design linkup could be the increasing use of the Secured by Design logo on the packaging of approved locks and security hardware products. Brands such as Yale, ERA, UNION and Chubb have been using the SBD logo on packaging for a number of years. This will help both consumers and trade specifiers to choose security products conforming to the latest standards.  
 
Jon Cole national operations manager for Secured by Design, said: “We are extremely pleased that the DHF have joined SBD as the first affiliate trade association member. The strategic alliance between the DHF and SBD will enable the two organisations to work together to address physical security issues.”  
 
For more information on security products from DHF members visit www.dhfonline.org.uk

Article ID No.: 195