In Malta locksmiths (key cutters) are not registered in any way and this means that any-body can trade as a locksmith without a licence irrespective of their competence, background or motive.

With today’s wave of thefts it is about time that the police or other government appointed authority take fast action to remedy the present situation.

In my opinion a locksmith must have an official register containing information but not limited to the following: the name of the person owning the key, ID card number, type of key, use of key i.e. premises and safes indicating address, car indicating name of owner, model and registration number, number of keys cut, etc.

Although the registration of key cutters will not discour-age professional thieves it will certainly minimise thefts in Malta.

There must be qualification criteria to become a licensed locksmith and for this reason the government body must have a licensing scheme for approved locksmiths under which they are listed and published, just as there are approved VRT garages, panel beaters, and so on.

Key cutters must strictly observe the regulations laid down by the authority and surprise regular inspections to check the locksmith’s register must be carried out by police in order to kerb the abuse of illicit key cutting in Malta.