Business Details
34 Years
experience
Trusted Security Product Testing & Certification Services
Established in 1992 by Northumbria and Essex Police with Home Office support, Sold Secure has evolved into the UK's premier testing and certification body for security products. Our mission focuses on reducing crime through rigorous assessment of security solutions, ensuring reliability for commercial clients, insurers, law enforcement, and the public. Administered by the Master Locksmiths Association, we operate from purpose-built laboratories in Rugby, maintaining stringent standards through manual attack testing.Our team of experts, including Managing Director Steffan George and Technical Manager Justin Freeman, delivers impartial evaluations across four theft resistance levels. We collaborate with stakeholders to develop test specifications that address real-world criminal methodologies, providing clarity on product performance claims. With over three decades of experience, we remain committed to advancing security innovation while upholding transparency and technical excellence.
Services
Vehicle Security Testing
Motorcycle Certification
Bicycle Lock Evaluation
Lock Cylinder Certification
Ground Anchor Testing
Security Post Assessment
Caravan Security Approval
Domestic Building Security
Product Grading
Insurance Compliance Testing
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- Established in 1992 as the UK's original security product testing authority
- Administered by the Master Locksmiths Association with purpose-built laboratories
- Four-tier grading system (Bronze to Diamond) for comprehensive security evaluation
- Developed industry-standard test specifications with police and insurance input
- Team includes certified technical experts with decades of combined experience
Services
Vehicle Security Testing
Our vehicle security assessments evaluate automotive protection systems against real-world theft techniques. Using tools identified through police and insurance data, we test products for five minutes double the average thief's window. This rigorous process ensures certified products significantly improve vehicle recovery chances while informing manufacturers' design improvements.
Motorcycle Certification
Motorcycle security evaluations follow police intelligence on criminal methodologies. We test products to Gold and Diamond standards, simulating attacks with tools typically carried by thieves. With 50,000 UK bikes stolen annually, our certification helps owners choose effective security solutions that protect against both opportunistic and determined attacks.
Lock Cylinder Certification
Our SS312 Diamond standard for cylinder locks addresses current criminal methods. Testing involves simulated attacks using tools identified through police collaboration. Certified locks provide proven protection against forced entry, helping homeowners and businesses select security solutions that meet specific risk levels from Bronze to Diamond.
Product Grading System
We maintain four distinct security levels Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond reflecting different threat scenarios. Each grade corresponds to specific attack tools and durations, from basic opportunistic attempts to determined assaults with specialist equipment. This transparent system helps consumers match security solutions to their exact risk environment and insurance requirements.
Domestic Building Security
Our domestic security assessments cover door locks, window mechanisms, and physical security devices. Testing simulates real break-in attempts using tools identified through police data. Certified products provide homeowners with verifiable protection levels, while our grading system helps match security solutions to specific property risks and insurance requirements.
People
Steffan George
Managing Director
Steffan George leads Sold Secure's strategic direction, bringing extensive security industry experience. He oversees technical operations and stakeholder relationships while maintaining our commitment to reducing crime through product testing.
Justin Freeman
Technical Manager
Justin Freeman manages technical operations, ensuring test specifications align with evolving criminal methodologies. With deep expertise in security engineering, he leads our team in developing industry-standard assessment protocols.
Guy McCaffery
Lab Manager
Guy McCaffery supervises our purpose-built testing facility, maintaining rigorous quality standards. He coordinates technical staff and ensures all assessments meet our exacting security evaluation criteria.
Luke Nuttall
Testing Technician
Luke Nuttall conducts hands-on security assessments, applying real-world attack scenarios to evaluate product performance. His technical work contributes to our comprehensive certification process for security solutions.
Questions
What does Sold Secure actually do?
We test and certify security products to four theft resistance levels. Our assessments help manufacturers improve products and enable consumers to choose effective security solutions backed by police and insurance data.
How are security products tested?
Products undergo manual attack testing using tools identified through police intelligence. Tests simulate real criminal attempts at different security levels, from basic opportunistic attacks to determined assaults with specialist equipment.
What do the grading levels mean?
Our four grades indicate security levels: Bronze (basic protection), Silver (enhanced security), Gold (high resistance), and Diamond (maximum protection against determined attacks using specialist tools).
How can I get a product approved?
Contact our team to discuss product testing requirements. We'll guide manufacturers through our assessment process, which evaluates security performance against real-world threats using industry-standard methodologies.
Where can I find approved products?
Our website features a searchable database of certified products. We also publish an annual catalogue available for free download, detailing all current Sold Secure approved security solutions.
Who uses Sold Secure certifications?
Our certifications are used by manufacturers, insurers, law enforcement agencies, and consumers. Police recommend our approved products, insurers recognise our standards, and businesses use our certifications to meet security requirements.
