INVESTIGATIONS conducted by WA Police licensing services officers have identified some potentially unlicensed locksmiths advertising via various online forums with a recent operation resulting in charges for two men carrying out unlicensed services.
As part of an ongoing investigation into a website advertising locksmithing services by persons believed to be unlicensed, on Wednesday, May 17 licensing services officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Fremantle.
WA Police will allege a 26-year-old man from Fremantle responded to requests for services and attended properties in Doubleview, Clarkson, Beaconsfield, Floreat, Rivervale, Fremantle and East Victoria Park to perform locksmithing work without the required licence to do so.
It will be further alleged the man charged between $186 and $582 for his services.
He was charged with seven counts of security installer to be licensed and is due to reappear in Perth Magistrates Court on Monday, July 24.
As part of the same investigation, on May 17 licensing services officers also executed a search warrant at a residence in Balga and arrested a 27-year-old man, who it will be alleged owns the related website.
Police will allege the Balga man responded to requests for services and attended properties in Mount Lawley, Bedford, Joondanna, Bassendean, Attadale and Applecross to perform locksmithing work without the required licence to do so.
It will be further alleged the man charged between $170 and $250 for his services.
He was charged with advertising or holding the he/she is willing to supply the service of a security installer and six counts of security installer to be licensed and is due to reappear in Perth Magistrates Court on Monday, July 24.
The investigation into other persons potentially linked to the website is ongoing.
WA Police in collaboration with the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia are reminding home and business owners to only use licensed security installers commonly referred to as locksmiths, to ensure the best security is provided to their homes or businesses.
Only appropriately licensed locksmiths have been subjected to robust security checks by WA Police, which includes ongoing monitoring of the licensee’s status.
When engaging a locksmith’s services, WA Police and the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia suggest the following:
- If booking online ask the operator to confirm that the company holds an agent’s licence and the actual attending locksmith holds a security installers licence in WA.
- Check the regularly updated list of licensed agents and security installers on the WA Police website to confirm the security installer is listed.
- Request to sight the locksmith’s security installer’s licence and their security agent’s licence on their arrival.
Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia WA director Matt Graham said using a licensed locksmith gave peace of mind that the locksmith could be trusted to secure your home or business, but also ensured you were using an appropriately qualified and experienced operator.
“To become a fully licensed category 1 security installer or locksmith in Western Australia the applicant must have completed a four-year locksmith apprenticeship, including three years of attending TAFE while working,’’ he said.
“In addition to having the right skills and experience, an applicant must go through a rigorous security vetting process with WA Police, which covers both historical and pending criminal charges or investigations.’’
