Master Locksmiths Association
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| Abbreviation | MLA |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1958 |
| Type | Trade association |
| Legal status | Non-profit organisation |
| Focus | Locksmithing |
| Headquarters | Woodford Halse, Daventry, Northamptonshire |
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Area served
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United Kingdom |
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Members
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1400 |
| Website | www |
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 1,400 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. It also operates a certification program.
Whilst in the United Kingdom the Security Industry Authority 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, and 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, motivation or competence. Until 2009 it was not possible to get a true background check on a locksmith (unless employed full-time by a school/hospital etc.). This changed when an exceptions order for the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 was introduced 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 professionally certified locksmith.
The MLA also run an annual three-day trade exhibition, the MLA Expo, which takes place in Telford.
The BBC One television series 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.
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Wikipedia