BBC’s Real Hustle Highlights Bump Key Issue

Popular scam show, The Real Hustle, televised on BBC3 last night (18 September) highlighted the risk that specialist locksmith keys or “bump keys” pose to home security, when a bump key was used to rapidly open the front door of a home with no sign of forced entry.  

The shocking con, which saw a couple’s entire possessions removed in a removal van in under two hours, ended with the “con artists” driving away in the victims’ car, using spare keys which had been left in the home when they went out for a meal.

The programme broached two known burglary techniques: lock bumping and key fishing, which are to be tackled by a new campaign, Ban the Bump Key.  The national campaign fronted by actor, Sean Wilson, best known as Martin Platt from Coronation Street aims to ban specialist locksmith tools from sale to the general public in the UK. 

Lock bumping involves the use of bump keys available on the internet, which can be used to open cylinder locks, the type found on approximately 65% of UK exterior doors.  Key fishing is where thieves insert a long, flexible rod through letterboxes to swipe car and door keys left within reach, enabling car theft and easy access to the home for intruders.

Set to launch next week, the campaign is supported by the Institute of Certified Locksmiths (ICL) and will also offer advice for householders on ways to protect their homes against known burglary techniques such as lock bumping and key fishing.

Currently, over 4 million websites mention lock bumping and websites such as You Tube offer demonstrations on the technique.  A worldwide problem, many incidences of the crime have been reported in the US and Europe.  Pickbuster, a unique anti-bump fluid developed in the UK, is also supporting the campaign.

The Ban the Bump Key campaign will be officially launched on the 25 September.  Members of the public can register support for the campaign by visiting www.banthebumpkey.com 

To view the show again follow this link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b007vzll/

Editor’s Notes:
The episode mentioned above is Episode 2 from Series 4.

Media contact:
Emma Starrs, Tel: 01204 883153/07704 110703