Summer is here and the recent warmer weather is certainly welcome,its not nice opening locked doors in the rain.It also means the opportunist burglars will be about looking for those open windows.Its time to be vigilant if you do leave windows open especially if you need to pop out to the shops or do the school run etc.Make sure you lock the windows and doors up EVERY time you go out.
As locksmiths we get to see a lot of the after effects of burglary especially how it affects different people.Some are completely unfazed by it but others are visibly shaken or upset but dont actually realise how much it has affected them.Prevent this happening in the first place by using your existing security and some common sense.

Not many burglaries to report but we have seen a couple in the belvedere area near the picardy road areas, it could be the same people doing it as both i attended had the same type of entry method. Both were by forcing rear upvc windows. Sliding security gates will stop future attempts to these properties, the orders have been placed already. It seems a very common point of entry around theback of ground floor flats or anywhere with windows in blind spots.It used to be just woooden windows that were forced but now it seems upvc is just as likely to be forced or attacked. Upvc windows do have a fair level of security with multipoint locking but its not impossible to force.Additional locks are available for upvc products and they are quite effective especially sash jammers.

Had a load of stick for my sky news appearance last week.I may have to use the opportunity to show " As seen on TV" in the new yellow pages adverts .

Well had another enquiry about if we have any locksmith vacancies, at present we are getting at least one a week.It just goes to show how many people have jumped on the locksmith trade as a quick buck.The emails themselves generally are poor which isn't a good start for anyone looking for a job.The enquiry today was two lines long and didn't even have a contact number, not the greatest first impression.

If anyone reading this wants to be a locksmith think long and hard about it. Sure there is work about but not much for new startups as most of the very lucrative contract work is with well established firms.The domestic market is extremely competitive now with so many chasing the work after doing their 2 day courses.The commercial work is a very different environment and it varies enormously.One day you could be fitting a master system or digital lock and another you could be removing an aluminium door on a high street shop.

Today we did a lock change in the shopping center at canary wharf for a well known chain on an armour plate glass door or apg door.These doors can at times be challenging to deal with, get it wrong and it can end up shattering and being swept away into the bin.The shop manager was lovely to deal with and i have to say that particular chain has always had very pleasant staff to deal with.


Allan the london locksmith.