The Master Locksmiths Association

The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) is the leading trade association for the locksmithing industry. A truly not-for-profit organisation promoting the skill and integrity of its approximately 1,400 members, it was established over 50 years ago to set and promote standards of conduct, practice and materials within locksmithing. Recognised as the authoritative body for locksmithing by the police, home office, British Standards Institute (BSI), The Risk Insight, Strategy and Control Authority -RISCAuthority (formally IPCRes) and Building Research Establishment (BRE), the MLA also has a subsidiary company, Sold Secure, which performs certification of security products via manual attack testing.

MLA member companies, who undergo strict vetting (including criminal record checks, regular inspections to ensure quality etc), are able to provide advice based on knowledge and experience, recommend products that are fit for purpose as well as provide professional installation and maintenance services. Details of MLA approved companies are provided to police, insurers and relevant industry bodies to help promote the use of independently licensed locksmithing companies.

The MLA, a City & Guilds approved centre, also provides training from its purpose built training facility based at the company headquarters in Daventry, consisting of a classroom type environment for theory work and fully equipped workshop for the hands-on practical elements. Classes for members include general locksmithing, opening techniques, access control, safe engineering, auto locksmithing and many more. Training is also provided at the frequent regional meetings held throughout the UK.

The MLA has recently been forging ahead in the promotion of its members by being the only locksmithing body to have been involved in the Home Office's Burglary Summit, resulting in the MLA's website being on the pack sent out by the Home Office and Police to victims of crime. To add to this MLA licensed locksmiths are being promoted to the recipient of both Safer Homes and Small Business Security Upgrade grants offered by the government. Ongoing government contact has helped significantly enhance the profile of the MLA and there was the recent success of the MLA changing the law on the vetting of locksmiths with the MLA now written into the exceptions order for the rehabilitation of offenders act (a process that lead to the MLA being debated in the House of Commons and House of Lords!) thereby enabling the MLA to perform standard level CRB checks on its members.

For more information visit the MLA website (www.locksmiths.co.uk)