14
Oct
2014
By Calvin at 12:41 GMT, 11 years ago
Many of our house burglaries happen unnecessarily, because the householder has forgotten to lock the multi-point locking front door properly.
Let me explain.....
For a long time there has been a debate among crime prevention practitioners about whether these multi-point locks should have a solid or split spindle operation on the outside handle.
Split spindles
If your multi-point locking door has a split spindle it means that when you go outside and close the door you will need a key to get back in. This is because if you push down the outside handle it will not operate the latch bolt in the door. It is in fact the key that turns the latch bolt. Conversely the handle on the inside of the door will operate the latch bolt. (My front door is like this.)
Advantages
- If you go out and forget to engage the multi-point locks at least the latch is holding the door, so thieves can’t just 'walk' in
- When you walk in and close the door behind you thieves can’t just open the door and follow you in
Disadvantages
- If you go to bed at night and forget to throw the multi-point locks, a thief can force his way in by levering the door close to the latch or by putting a stick through the letter plate to knock down the internal handle (If you haven’t got a letter plate deflector). This is a very common method used by burglars at night and during the day - even when people are at home!
Solid spindles
If your multi-point locking door has a solid spindle it means that when you go outside and close the door you will not need a key to get back in. This is because if you push down the outside handle it will operate the latch bolt in the door. The handle on the inside of the door will also operate the latch bolt. If you live in a block of flats you are very likely to have this type of spindle so that you don’t accidentally lock yourself out, which could be extremely dangerous if, having investigated a possible fire, you need to retreat into your flat to escape the flames or dense smoke. (This is why the flat door will be fire resistant).
Here’s an excellent bit of advice from Greater Manchester Police promoting door chimes on a door fitted with a solid spindle in one of their 60 Second Security videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou-c2TNfmas&feature=youtu.be
Advantages
- When you go to bed at night you will know that a burglar can simply open your door from the outside using the handle and, if you haven’t done so already, you will remember to engaged the multi-point locks – lift the handle and turn the key and remove it
- When you go out you will know that you have to engage the multi-point locks as otherwise a thief can just open the door and walk in
- It is unlikely that you will lock yourself out accidentally
Disadvantages
- You have to remember to engage and lock the multi-point locks each time you use the door
- The first two advantages rely on your memory. Police colleagues in London and the South East counties have reported incidents where elderly people in particular have forgotten to engage the multi-point locks during the day and have suffered burglary and robbery as a result
I have reached a conclusion and if you would like to see it please click the link below and scroll down the page.
You may not agree with my conclusion, but it would be great to get your response, so I’ve popped the question onto the Forum where you can also vote for which is best
Multi-point locks http://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/security-door-locks-hardware-and-fittings/562/multipoint-locks/
