The Test House of Choice for Security Products
Sold Secure is dedicated to reducing the risk of crime by the assessment of security products. Established in 1992 by Northumbria and Essex Police with the help and backing of the Home Office. Sold Secure is now owned and administered by the Master Locksmiths Association (a not for profit trade association) and works from purpose built laboratories just outside Daventry.

The scheme has close ties with a number of constabularies and insurers who provide regular information regarding the methods of theft and the tools utilised by criminals in their areas. This helps to maintain up to date specifications and means security products can be assessed in the light of the risk they are likely to encounter when in use. Now products are tested by a highly motivated team of professional locksmiths under the direction of a small board of directors who meet on a regular basis to administer the scheme and move the process forward in keeping with modern theft methods.

Sold Secure’s only source of income is from the fees it levies to undertake its work. However, as the company does not have to pay dividends to shareholders it is able to offer its services at very competitive rates. All surplus income is reinvested in crime prevention.

Manufacturers and suppliers can apply to have their products approved by Sold Secure. Products which have been satisfactorily assessed may bear the Sold Secure Quality Mark. Information on these approved products is circulated by Sold Secure to crime prevention officers, insurance companies, the media, the Home Office and the public, and is available free to those who require it.

Sold Secure Approval is classified into 3 main categories; Bronze, Silver & Gold (with an additional Diamond level for certain Caravan security products). The categories reflect the amount of time per test and the tools that are used and themselves vary depending on what test specification is being used. The higher the grading (Bronze is the lowest) the higher the security provided by the product.

The Approved Product list (see search page) gives the reader an insight into the more effective security products, it does not give any form of guarantee that these products will be 100% effective in combating crime. Also, it does not guarantee that these methods are suitable for specific applications. It is the responsibility of the equipment supplier and equipment purchaser to ensure that any system is suitable to its particular application and that it complies with all legislation, standards, codes of practice or any other requirement. Every effort has been made to ensure the contents of the list are accurate, however Sold Secure does not accept any responsibility for loss arising from decisions based upon it.

Why Test?
Security product manufacturers make various claims with regards to the security of their products, but what do these claims actually mean? By creating standard test specifications, having involved the relevant stakeholders (e.g. Police, Insurance, Industry Bodies etc) Sold Secure can test all products to these standards and provide the public with an understanding of how that product performs.

Motor Cycles & Motor Scooters
Around 50,000 motorcycles are stolen in this country every year. Many of these are broken down for spares and less than a quarter are ever recovered. A very high percentage of those stolen are actually taken from outside their owners’ homes. It may be interesting to note that a bike parked in a busy main road may sport several security devices but when parked at home the bike may be left unsecure.

Sold Secure has a single level of Motorcycle Security Approval (Gold) and two levels of Motor Scooter security (Gold & Silver). Using a toolkit based on insurance and police information, the motorcycle is proven safe from the average thief. There are a number of options for security at home and also when parked away from home.

Bicycles
Sold Secure has developed a three tier security grading system. The Gold rated locking devices offer the highest level of security. The next level down Silver offers a compromise between security and cost, whilst the Bronze level typically offers defence against the opportunist thief. Thus the purchaser can choose the system which best meets his needs or the relevant insurance requirements. Again there are a number of options for mobile use and some solutions for the home environment. A number of bicycles are stolen from insecure garden sheds or garages and we have tested ground anchors, shackles and security posts to help in this area. Also see our new category for domestic buildings.

Caravans
Recent statistics show that over 5000 caravans are stolen every year and very few are recovered. Once again, Sold Secure approves locking systems using the tools that a typical thief would carry. There are three levels of security approval. The Silver level offers basic security, a cost effective product for the occasions when a caravan is stored in a good location. When a higher level of security is required, then the products approved to the Gold standard are available. The Diamond level is the highest of all and offers maximum protection. Ground anchors and security posts are available for fixed security at the caravans main storage point

Ground Anchors
On many occasions, for maximum security, a simple lock is not enough. Unless your bike, motorbike, caravan, boat, trailer or motor mower is fastened down it may be possible to steal it, lock and all! The answer to this is a ground anchor. When installed in your garage, drive or car park, these provide the ideal device for securing your vehicles and other valuable outdoor equipment. Where necessary, use these with a Sold Secure Approved lock.

Security Posts
An ideal way of preventing your vehicle from being stolen from your drive or car park is the security post. These are tested to the normal Sold Secure criteria, making it difficult for the criminal to bypass the security post. They can be effective in securing several vehicles at one time. They can also be used to protect your parking place!

Cars
Crime statistics indicate that the average car thief would wish to spend no longer than 2½ minutes gaining entry to a vehicle and driving off. The Sold Secure attack test acknowledges this criteria and tests the product for a full five minutes. Thus any Car product bearing our seal of approval must improve your chances of finding your car where you left it. Such has been the success of this scheme; car manufacturers now build in security at the production line stage.

Commercial Vehicles
The loss of a commercial vehicle is always made worse by the theft of its contents and the disruption to your business. Sold Secure have approved a range of products designed to protect the vehicle and its cargo.

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