Master Locksmiths Association
Encyclopedia
Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) is a not for profit
trade association
representing and approving Locksmiths in the United Kingdom
. It was established in 1958 and now has 1400 members. In 2008 the MLA was referred to by the then Minister of State
, Ministry of Justice
, Maria Eagle
, as the "principal trade body representing locksmiths and promoting standards within the industry". It is also the association referred to by the Association of Chief Police Officers
in their Secured by Design program.
manages the licensing of the private security industry as set out in the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (which covers manguarding,(including cash in transit, close protection, door supervision), vehicle immobilisation and key holding), locksmithing does not come under this act and there is therefore no government based licensing of locksmiths. This in effect means that anyone can trade as a locksmith irrespective of background, motive or competence. In 2009 it became possible to get a true background check on a locksmith (unless employed full time by a school/hospital etc.). This occurred when the Exceptions order for the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
was changed in July 2009 following debates in the House of Commons and the House of Lords whereby the MLA was added to the list enabling it to get standard level CRB disclosures.
Because of this lack of government regulation, various organisations have their own systems; the MLA run an Approved Company licensing process whereby companies have to be vetted
, regularly inspected
and employ a qualified
locksmith.
Rogue Traders has used the MLA to provide expert input. It was with the help of the MLA and expert witness services by one of its members that a rogue locksmith was convicted and sentenced for fraud in 2010.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
trade association
Trade association
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry...
representing and approving Locksmiths in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It was established in 1958 and now has 1400 members. In 2008 the MLA was referred to by the then Minister of State
Minister of State
Minister of State is a title borne by politicians or officials in certain countries governed under a parliamentary system. In some countries a "minister of state" is a junior minister, who is assigned to assist a specific cabinet minister...
, Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Justice (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Justice is a ministerial department of the UK Government headed by the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, who is responsible for improvements to the justice system so that it better serves the public...
, Maria Eagle
Maria Eagle
Maria Eagle is a British solicitor and Labour Party politician. She is the Member of Parliament for Garston and Halewood, having been the MP for Liverpool Garston from 1997 to 2010....
, as the "principal trade body representing locksmiths and promoting standards within the industry". It is also the association referred to by the Association of Chief Police Officers
Association of Chief Police Officers
The Association of Chief Police Officers , established in 1948, is a private limited company that leads the development of policing practice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.ACPO provides a forum for chief police officers to share ideas and coordinates the strategic...
in their Secured by Design program.
Background and operation
Whilst in the United Kingdom the Security Industry AuthoritySecurity Industry Authority
The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK. It is a non-departmental public body reporting to the Home Secretary and was established in 2003 under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.The SIA has two main...
manages the licensing of the private security industry as set out in the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (which covers manguarding,(including cash in transit, close protection, door supervision), vehicle immobilisation and key holding), locksmithing does not come under this act and there is therefore no government based licensing of locksmiths. This in effect means that anyone can trade as a locksmith irrespective of background, motive or competence. In 2009 it became possible to get a true background check on a locksmith (unless employed full time by a school/hospital etc.). This occurred when the Exceptions order for the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 of the UK Parliament enables some criminal convictions to be ignored after a rehabilitation period. Its purpose is that people do not have a lifelong blot on their records because of a relatively minor offence in their past. The rehabilitation period is...
was changed in July 2009 following debates in the House of Commons and the House of Lords whereby the MLA was added to the list enabling it to get standard level CRB disclosures.
Because of this lack of government regulation, various organisations have their own systems; the MLA run an Approved Company licensing process whereby companies have to be vetted
Vetting
Vetting is a process of examination and evaluation, generally referring to performing a background check on someone before offering him or her employment, conferring an award, etc...
, regularly inspected
Inspection
An inspection is, most generally, an organized examination or formal evaluation exercise. In engineering activities inspection involves the measurements, tests, and gauges applied to certain characteristics in regard to an object or activity...
and employ a qualified
Professional certification
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task...
locksmith.
Other activities
The BBC oneBBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
Rogue Traders has used the MLA to provide expert input. It was with the help of the MLA and expert witness services by one of its members that a rogue locksmith was convicted and sentenced for fraud in 2010.