News
Barry rescues mother and child from public toilets: "Ordeal as mum and daughter are stuck in toilet for an hour"
- Date:
- 15th July 2010
- Author:
- Chris Havergal, Cambridge News
A mum and her 2-year-old daughter were trapped in a stinking public loo for more than an hour when the lock jammed.
Krishna Moe, 39, was left furious by her ordeal in toilets which were fitted just three months ago at Romsey Recreation Ground in Cambridge.
- Krishna and Jasmine Moe
Entry to the loo is controlled by a 20p payment and a crowd which gathered outside the block was unable to release Krishna and little Jasmine.
In the end locksmith Barry Hall had to drill the lock to get the pair out. Families say it is not the first time people have got stuck.
Recreation bosses, who spent £250,000 revamping the park, including installing the loos, blamed vandalism and pledged the locks would be replaced today.
Krishna, of Fairfax Road, believes her cries were only heard on Monday morning because nearby St Philip’s Primary School was holding its sports day nearby, where participants included her 8-year-old son Louis.
She told the News: “I was in there for over an hour until the people outside managed to get a locksmith.
“It’s not on. If it wasn’t for the sports day I might have been there for ages, and if someone had an asthma attack or illness, there’s no way of getting help because you’re right in the corner of the park.”
Krishna said she wanted other park users to be aware of the risk.
She added: “The locksmith had to drill through to get the lock out and my daughter was very distressed.
“It was smelly, dirty and the toilet was blocked.
“I was panicked at first but I had to calm down to keep my daughter calm.”
Residents told the News a 10-year-old girl was stuck in the loos for around 20 minutes last month.
Richard O’Connor, an architect at Cambridge City Council, said the problem would be fixed.
He said: “The locks are going to have to be replaced. They have been vandalised, which creates a problem.”
News Release - 85 per cent of lock safety advice unsatisfactory - Mystery shopper findings reveal lack of knowledge among DIY outlets
- Date:
- 6th January 2010
- Author:
- Master Locksmiths Association
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.
Three scenarios tested lock knowledge on various locking system (open, restricted and patented systems) multiple occupancy housing regulations and insurance stipulations. Mystery shoppers found a lack of understanding of lock requirements among staff meant they were not offered the right advice or asked appropriate questions.
Across all of the scenarios some vital questions were overlooked by sales staff, often meaning they were unable to provide appropriate advice on lock suitability.
Following the initial enquiry only a quarter (25 per cent) of ‘shoppers’ were proactively asked for more information about what type of lock they needed, while only seven per cent of assistants enquired about the number of keys required and just five per cent asked about insurance requirements.
In addition, none of the staff asked if locks were required for escape doors while less than two per cent asked if locks were required for fire doors. Factors which greatly affect let properties for tenant and landlords, while facilities managers need to be aware of these requirements for accommodation such as hotels, care homes and boarding schools.
Across all scenarios open, restricted and patented keys were only mentioned by seven per cent of assistants; only three per cent mentioned keyless exit options (vital in the case of a fire) and 12 per cent spoke of security requirements. In addition, less than a quarter (23 per cent) referred to Kite Mark and only a third (33 per cent) spoke about BS 3621 standards. Alarmingly none of the ‘shoppers’ were told about some of the most common lock standards – PAS 24 or the BS X621 family of standards.
Commenting on the findings Dr Steffan George, development director for the MLA said: “This research shows that some of the UK’s leading home and DIY outlets appear to be making big mistakes when it comes to lock safety; which is particularly disconcerting given the Government’s recently launched home security pack includes discount vouchers for all three outlets.
“Selecting the correct lock should not be a simple case of picking one off the shelf – consumers really do need specialist advice when choosing which lock is right for them so it is disappointing to discover that these well respected outlets rated so poorly in this research.
“As well-trained, licensed and trusted professionals MLA members’ knowledge on occupancy numbers, insurance stipulations, British Standards and legislation is vital in deciding which lock best meets homeowners, landlords and tenants needs.”
Research was conducted nationwide by Launchpad Research over a ten day period with trips divided equally between 60 outlets of the three retail brands by Market Research Society (MRS) trained field interviewers.
The research also found:
- In the multiple occupancy regulations scenario none of the interviewers were advised to buy a BS 8621 lock – the one which should have been recommended, while 10 per cent mentioned an unsuitable lock
- Six in ten (62 per cent) ‘shoppers’ were referred to at least one other colleague when the first staff member felt unable to handle the enquiry
- Ten per cent of mystery shoppers were referred to three staff members when the first member of staff did not feel able to help with an enquiry, while two per cent of participants were referred to four members of staff
- Nearly eight in ten (76 per cent) ‘shoppers’ were not satisfied with the accuracy of the information received across all three scenarios
- More than eight in ten (83 per cent) felt that the response they received did not fully match that which was outlined in the scenario provided
- In more than nine out of ten instances staff were not on hand to offer advice, with 90 per cent of interviewers having to leave the lock aisle to actively seek assistance
“MLA members are trained to ensure the advice consumers receive is up-to-date and appropriate to individual needs. Members will also supply a specialist fitting service to ensure the recommended products are securely installed and whilst locksmiths are on-site they can assess your situation thoroughly and where required offer further advice on increasing overall home security,” added Dr George.
“Although the research did show that some members of staff offered great advice, overall there is a widespread lack of expertise across the outlets. The ‘shoppers’ felt that although staff understood what was required they did not have the knowledge to be able to offer guidance on suitable products.
“Our advice is simple – when it comes to your security it is not worth taking chances so hiring a regulated, respected professional is the only way to ensure a strong, robust and long-term solution.”
Waterproof Wireless Padlocks by Simons Voss and Heavy Duty Wireless Padlocks by Barry Hall (using Simons-Voss technology)
- Date:
- 4th November 2009
- Author:
- Carl Myhill
- Simons Voss Wireless Waterproof Padlock
If you have ever heard Barry Hall being enthusiastic about Simons-Voss products you will immediately know his genuine commitment to this technology and his fascination with it. In fact, if you talk to Simons-Voss directly about supplying their products in the UK don't be surprised if they tell you to talk to Barry at Anglia Access Control.
Barry has recently being bubbling over with enthusiasm for the Simons-Voss waterproof wireless padlock. He says, "Do you know how many people need a product like this?". He wants people to know this sort of thing is available. This padlock is fully waterproof and can be used outdoors in the rain and snow. It's great for gates, manhole covers, outside doors, remote doors etc where you need to have hi-security and be able to trace recent users and indeed be able to allow or have denied use remotely (with out having to have the Transponder in hand).
- Barry Hall's Wireless Abus Padlock
based on Simons Voss technology
As he pondered the product Barry realised he could add his own invention to this basic idea. Using his experience with Simons-Voss technology, the Master Locksmith made his own wirelessly operated padlock! This one is not designed to be waterproof but it still offers the same benefits as all other Simons-Voss technology. You can click a keyfob to open the padlock (could it be easier?) and if you lose the keyfob, it can be immediately de-activated. If you were to lose a normal padlock key, someone else could find it and use it - not so with Simons-Voss technology!
If you think you need technology like this, pick up the phone to Anglia Access Control and ask for Barry. Challenge him to invent the right solution to your security needs. He does that sort of thing quite a lot.
New Simons-Voss website
- Date:
- 3rd November 2009
- Author:
- Carl Myhill
- The New Simons-Voss Access Control Website
If you know Anglia Access Control you will know that we have a lot of time for Simons-Voss technology. Their top-of-the range systems are secure, dependable and simple, not to mention wireless. It's easy to see why this is the leading Access Control technology in Germany.
So, it is very nice to see the new Simons-Voss website is up and running. A great place to start if you are interested in learning more about their fantastic technology. Of course, we would always be very happy to show you more.