Locksmith News Archives – Useful FREE PDF Downloads

Below are archives of past MLA related news from before 2012 and FREE PDF downloads of specific articles:

UK Home Security Week

(27 September 2011)

• With UK Home Security Week upon us, the UK’s leading trade association for the locksmithing profession is advising homeowners to consider locks and keys in the equation when reviewing their home security.

NOS for Locksmiths Approved

(21 April 2011)

• The National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Locksmiths have been approved by the regulator UKCES which gives the green light for the qualification and apprenticeship framework project.

MLA Campaigns for Locksmith Industry Recognition

(22 March 2011)

• The MLA has long been concerned with the unregulated nature of the locksmithing industry and in particular the training that is available.
• To add to this the fact that Locksmithing is not a recognised profession (no SIC code or formal recognition through qualifications or apprenticeships) has also been a major bugbear of the association.
• To this end, the MLA is embarking upon a project to help legitimise the profession by working in collaboration with the Sector Skills body (Skills for Security) and funding the development of a nationally recognised qualification and apprenticeship framework.

Government Backs the Master Locksmiths Association

(11 February 2011)

• The UK’s biggest locksmithing trade association has further cemented its position as one of the country’s leading security experts with a stamp of approval from the Home Office.
• The coalition Government’s James Brokenshire MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Crime Prevention has praised the work of the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) and invited the association to contribute to shaping the voluntary and regulatory options for improving home security in Britain.

MLA and Sun Online Business Directory team up to provide the best advice

(16 November 2010)

• In conjunction with the Sun Online Business Directory, Touch Local has partnered with the Master Locksmiths Association to highlight the importance of using fully qualified and vetted tradesmen.
• A new feature on the Sun Online Business Directory allows users to search for MLA approved locksmith companies via a quick link on the directory homepage.
• In addition, all approved company members of the MLA advertised on the Sun directory will have the MLA logo as an endorsement on their profile – a clear indicator that they have met the strict approval criteria of the UK’s leading association for locksmiths.

Master Locksmiths designed to be secure

(29 September 2010)

• The leading trade association for the locksmithing profession is further cementing its position as one of the UK’s leading security experts by forging a new partnership with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
• The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) is the latest organisation to become an Affiliate Trade Association member of ACPO’s Secured by Design (SBD) initiative. SBD promotes the use of security standards and looks at implementing crime prevention measures at the design and refurbishment stages of commercial and residential development to ensure long-term security measures are in place.

Revving up interest in Auto Locksmithing

(16 September 2010)

 Rogue Locksmith Sentenced

• In what was one of the worst cases of fraud Trading Standards have ever seen, former ‘locksmith’ Mark Makowski is facing the start of a four-year sentence behind bars. As Westminster City Council, Westminster Trading Standards and the Master Locksmiths Association see their hard work in bringing the case to court, come to fruition.

MLA Launch Continued Professional Development scheme for members

(2 August 2010)

• The leading trade association for the locksmithing industry has reinforced its commitment to members as it launches a new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.
• The Master Locksmith Association (MLA) CPD programme encourages members of the association to develop skills and broaden their knowledge on an ongoing basis. It is the first formal CPD programme to be launched by a locksmithing association.

MLA help crack down on rogue locksmith

(23 July 2010)

• One of the UK’s most notorious rogue traders Mark Makowski faces time behind bars as Westminster City Council and Westminster Trading Standards win a landmark case against the rogue locksmith thanks to the help of the MLA.Makowski who has previously been investigated by BBC’s Rogue Traders was found guilty to 13 accounts of fraud at the Old Bailey yesterday (22 July 2010).
• The jury ruled he was responsible for installing inferior products, charging a premium rate to unsuspecting customers and operating under a number of company names in the biggest case brought against a ‘locksmith’.

MLA & Thatcham setting standards for EU ruling

(12 July 2010)

• A European Union (EU) ruling which could give greater access to the security codes required to start modern vehicles has undergone a security check as three of the UK’s leading security names join forces to trial a proposed vetting systemThe Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) alongside the Auto Locksmiths Association (ALA) and Motor Insurance Repair and Research Centre.
• Thatcham have launched the Thatcham Registered Auto Locksmith (TRAL) Scheme.
• The scheme ensures UK vehicle security is not compromised by an EU ruling which would make the security data needed to start cars more readily available.

Master Locksmiths Association helps our heroes

(19 April 2010)

• Help for Heroes, a charity set up to support wounded Servicemen and women, has received a welcome boost after receiving a cheque for £3,500 from members of the London Region of the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA). Download the press release by clicking on the title for more information.

85 per cent of lock safety advice unsatisfactory

(6 January 2010)

• Eighty-five per cent of Focus, Homebase and B&Q staff approached in a mystery shopper experiment offered shoddy advice on lock requirements, new research reveals today (11 December 2009).
• Commissioned by the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) the mystery shopper investigation found that 63 per cent of staff in some of the UK’s best known DIY outlets rated poorly when it came to lock knowledge; while only 15 per cent of ‘shoppers’ would rate advice received as satisfactory

Brits at risk from rogue locksmiths

(13 October 2009)

• Experts issue safety warning as research reveals over 60 per cent of locksmiths currently working in the UK are unlicensed.
• As the authoritative body for the locksmithing industry, the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) is calling on consumers to consider if they are inadvertently giving one of the country’s 6,500 unlicensed locksmiths unregulated access to their homes and businesses.

MLA leads the way in auto locksmith accreditation

(21 May 2008)

• The MLA is once again forging ahead in the accreditation of locksmiths by
playing a lead role in the Vehicle Security Data Group (VSDG), managing the
approval route for locksmiths to become accredited for access to security data
from vehicle manufacturers and trusted third party data holding companies.

MLA’s City & Guilds Accreditation

(2 February 2008)

• Having a long history of providing training to locksmiths (either those who are
starting off in the trade or those who want to further their knowledge in specific
technical areas), the MLA is delighted to announce that City & Guilds have
recently awarded the MLA its prestigious “Approved Centre” status (No. 027758)
enabling the association to offer a tailored City & Guilds award in Basic
Locksmithing (No. 1841) which is based on its entry exam

MLA sets the standard for the vetting of locksmiths

(2 August 2007)

• With the ever-increasing importance placed on security, the vetting of those
  involved in the industry is becoming more and more vital. When it comes to
  locksmiths; people who are advising on the physical security of your home or
  business, and as such will have access to your door keys, then the emphasis on
  ensuring the quality and background of these service providers is essential.

MLA Sets the standard with regards to locksmithing charges

(9 March 2007)

• The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) is pleased to see the recent upholding
  of the prosecution of a locksmith for overcharging despite going to appeal.

Locks – The first line of defence against burglary

(6 February 2007)

• Recent reports in the press regarding Britain’s status as Europe’s burglary capital have placed even more emphasis on the need for appropriate physical security in the home.