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Meter Reader had skeleton key to house!

Yesterday my partner's mother had a man to read the meter for Southern Electric.

Her meter is kept in the basement of her bungalow so she came out to unlock the basement door for him, and he said "It's ok, I can let myself in, I have a key"

She was astounded when he produced a key and unlocked the basement door himself. He said it was a skeleton key that opened most Yale locks and Council properties!

The basement door has a yale lock and it's also private property. My partner's mother wants to know if she should change the lock and if she should report this to anyone?

What do you think? :think:
«13

Comments

  • jalexa
    jalexa Posts: 3,448 Forumite
    edited 8 September 2011 at 12:11PM
    dreamalive wrote: »
    She was astounded when he produced a key and unlocked the basement door himself. He said it was a skeleton key that opened most Yale locks and Council properties!

    No such thing as "skeleton key" except as part of a "locking suite".

    However it might have been a "bump key" which in moderately practised hands can defeat most cylinder locks in seconds, particulary "worn" locks. Watch this and prepare to be afraid...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGX6jyyIkPk&feature=related

    I do not believe it is lawful going equipped with a "bump key" with the intention of entering premises without authority. A meter reader without a warrant has no "authority" to open a lockfast door.
  • lemontart
    lemontart Posts: 6,037 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    call the supplier about this as does not sound right
    I am responsible me, myself and I alone I am not the keeper others thoughts and words.
  • C_Mababejive
    C_Mababejive Posts: 11,668 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    "skeleton" keys are generally for suited lock systems. I have some of them but they are for specific groups of properties or locks..not for every lock.
    Feudal Britain needs land reform. 70% of the land is "owned" by 1 % of the population and at least 50% is unregistered (inherited by landed gentry). Thats why your slave box costs so much..
  • Change the lock - now. Who else has a key to your property??
    "Nil Sine Labore" - Nothing Without Labour
  • StevieJ
    StevieJ Posts: 20,174 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    jalexa wrote: »
    No such thing as "skeleton key" except as part of a "locking suite".

    However it might have been a "bump key" which in moderately practised hands can defeat most cylinder locks in seconds, particulary "worn" locks. Watch this and prepare to be afraid...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGX6jyyIkPk&feature=related

    I do not believe it is lawful going equipped with a "bump key" with the intention of entering premises without authority. A meter reader without a warrant has no "authority" to open a lockfast door.

    I wondered where Platty had ended up :)
    'Just think for a moment what a prospect that is. A single market without barriers visible or invisible giving you direct and unhindered access to the purchasing power of over 300 million of the worlds wealthiest and most prosperous people' Margaret Thatcher
  • Hazzanet
    Hazzanet Posts: 1,722 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    My immediate thought is that it's a fire brigade key, but I don't believe that they do a Yale Cylinder type. FB keys are easily available from locksmiths/the internet, a full set for about £25.
    4358
  • chanz4
    chanz4 Posts: 11,052 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Xmas Saver!
    is the property or was it ex council/ housing association as they sometimes provide them
    Don't put your trust into an Experian score - it is not a number any bank will ever use & it is generally a waste of money to purchase it. They are also selling you insurance you dont need.
  • I wouldnt get too excited about "yale" type tumbler/cylinder locks anyway.

    A skilled lock picker could pick a wide variety of them in a reasonable time.
    Feudal Britain needs land reform. 70% of the land is "owned" by 1 % of the population and at least 50% is unregistered (inherited by landed gentry). Thats why your slave box costs so much..
  • Call your local police station to ask their advice on this matter.
  • Call your local police station to ask their advice on this matter.
    Do you think they will be interested?
    Feudal Britain needs land reform. 70% of the land is "owned" by 1 % of the population and at least 50% is unregistered (inherited by landed gentry). Thats why your slave box costs so much..
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