Door Industry Journal - Summer 2013

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk THE door industry journal summer 2013 experience and knowledge of test lab engineers is therefore crucial in creating testing methods and devising rigs that can perform the types of tests required to meet the latest industry standards. The ASSA ABLOY testing lab has over 30 years experience and employs a wide range of bespoke and exclusively developed testing methods to assess the performance and integrity of security and hardware products. The impressive facility works with designers and manufacturers to help them achieve, amongst others, BSEN, BS and PAS accredited testing for doorsets, locks, door furniture and hardware, which can be applied in a variety of market sectors, including residential and commercial facilities. In addition, detention locking can be tested to ASTM, NIJ and other industry recognised standards methods. The independent and accredited test lab focuses on developing innovative testing solutions for specific requirements; customising, designing and manufacturing modules for a client’s bespoke product or need. As well as being highly beneficial for new and emerging markets, it also strengthens the relationship between manufacturers and the sectors’ legislative demands. As with many test labs, the engineers are not driven by pass or fail results, but instead report definitively on the performance of the product, helping at the design and manufacturing stage of product development. With rigs and testing methods purposely designed to emulate the extremes in relationships between products and people, and products and the environment, providing peace of mind for manufacturers and end users. For manufacturers supplying to the construction industry, the increasingly global and mandatory nature of legislative demands is directly impacting on how products and projects must be delivered. Alone, the processes can be costly and time-consuming. By working together with testing labs that have experience in bespoke testing and pooling expertise and resources, collaboration can be the key to the biggest emerging construction markets on a global stage. The skills and facilities at the ASSA ABLOY testing laboratory can help manufacturers in meeting the latest standards. The performance testing laboratory offers over 160 individual testing criteria across 13 product categories. Comprehensive reports and sample photography are supplied to all clients. For further information, please visit www.assaabloy.co.uk/en/local/uk/Products/Testlaboratory/ MUL- T -PLEXED DEMYSTIFYING CRIME STATISTICS In the second in a series of comment columns from Mul-T-Lock, Steve Ross, Managing Director investigates continuing claims that the levels of crime in the UK is falling and still suggests this is no time for complacency. At the end of April 2013, the Guardian printed an article headlined “A crime mystery. It’s going down, but no one really knows why.’ The supporting figures are striking. Over the last five years, despite history dictating that it is a ‘fact of life’ that burglary levels rise in a difficult economic climate, to date, all crime statistics have fallen faster than in any other European country, with few exceptions. Theories on Crime There is an abundance of theories that attempt to explain this, ranging from the bizarre to the plausible; take your pick from the following. The reduction of lead in petrol (lead in the atmosphere deforms the brain) to the increase and proliferation of CCTV meaning criminals know they are much more likely to be watched and ‘easy picking’ homes and cars are few and far between. Whilst the theories continue to emerge, it would be easy for security specialists and Police forces across the UK to believe it’s a job well done to counter all the predictive links between crime and the economy. But there is one major oversight to this complacent approach. The recorded fall in crime is at odds with public perception of crime rates, with many adapting their lifestyles and protecting their valuables in accordance with a direct opposite fear than any Government statistics suggest. Seventeen per cent of people think they will become a victim of violent crime while fewer than four per cent actually experience it. Reality Check on Crime As an industry we are fully aware of more advanced levels of opportunist crime being shared across the country online and through social media. More concerning is the increase in a new wave of crime, which threatens to go against all the Government statistics and is the most obvious to suggest a correlation between crime and the economy. The crime has been dubbed ‘desperation thefts,’ and South Yorkshire has already seen a rise of 28 per cent of such kind in Rotherham. Food theft accounted for almost a third of all shoplifting in 2012, according to Chief Superintendent Chris Sykes of Greater Manchester Police. That’s an increase of 19 per cent from 2011. These figures are not exhaustive. They relate to children and adults who live in private homes and have been a victim of up to five crimes, but it may start to illustrate that the official statistics and media have been too quick to assess the full impact that austerity is having on crime levels. As a global security brand, Mul-T-Lock continues to work closely with our dealer network across the UK and Ireland to appease homeowner concern and continue to produce new products that can offer ultimate protection. In summary, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the difficult economic climate is having an effect on crime; perhaps not the ‘headline’ figures but for those struggling, desperate measures are being taken. And whilst the rise in so called ‘desperation thefts’ is currently only reported in the North regions, just like cylinder snapping, it is likely to spread across the UK and Ireland. Mul-T-Lock will continue to innovate in its product development as it strives to meet the very latest standards across our product portfolio. We will also continue to pursue avenues for our combined solutions philosophy so that high security is promoted to suit any residential or commercial application. A regular comment column, looking at the bigger picture, brought to you by Steve Ross, Managing Director at Mul-T-Lock. Steve Ross Managing Director Mul-T-Lock UK