Don’t let letterplates be the weak point in your doors
Brett Evans, technical director at Yale, discusses the role of letterplates in keeping burglars at bay.
The latest ONS statistics paint an interesting picture. While burglaries through an unlocked door have seen a welcome drop, a large proportion of burglaries – 62% – still involve entering through the front of the house.
This suggests that burglars are finding ways to bypass locked doors, often through the letterplate.
Here’s a guide to choosing a letterplate that will keep the burglars out.
Innovative security features
One of the most common methods burglars use to access homes is ‘fishing’ through the letterplate. To combat this, choose a letterplate for your doors that incorporates anti-fishing technology, such as comb-like teeth that act as barriers and stop the ‘fishing rod’ from accessing keys or other small valuables.
Also look out for barrier protection systems that feature dual side plate shields. These automatically extend when the internal flap is opened, offering additional security by blocking external access to the thumb-turn or key on the other side of the door.
Burglars also like to look through letterplates to gauge the position of items inside the home. There are many solutions available that obstruct the view from the outside, making this impossible, so it’s always best to opt for one of these.
The highest standards
Standards-wise, it is crucial to choose a letterplate that meets TS008:2022. This provides a guarantee that it will prevent fishing attacks, stop forced entry attempts, and resist fire and weather so end-users are protected against break-ins.
It’s also advisable to select a letterplate that is accredited by Secured by Design (SBD), providing further testament to its exacting security. Studies show that SBD-recognised developments are up to 75% less likely to be burgled and exhibit a reduction of 25% in criminal damage[i].
Additionally, ensure the letterplate meets fire ratings such as FD30 and FD60, PAS24:2022 for security, and complies with building regulations like Approved Document Q.
Introducing the Postmaster Professional TS008 Slim Letterplate
At Yale, we have recently launched the Postmaster Professional TS008 Slim Letterplate to meet the highest security standards, offering both sleek aesthetics and superior protection against the most common break-in methods.
The Postmaster Professional TS008 Slim Letterplate meets TS008:2022, Secured by Design, FD60 when tested as part of a door, PAS24:2022, and Approved Document Q. It also comes with a 10-year mechanical guarantee and a 25-year surface finish guarantee, so you can have complete confidence in its durability.
With burglars increasingly targeting letterplates as a means of entering homes through the front door, there is an urgent need for robust solutions to repel them. Don’t let letterplates be the weak point in your doors. Instead, choose a solution that protects homes and keeps the criminals at bay.