Safety in numbers: GHA snap up 500 of Glasgow inventor's safety alarms

Jul 28 2011 By Joe McGuire

Jim McConkey

AN ingenious security device made by a local inventor is on the brink of going into production.

Glasgow Housing Association are in talks with social enterprise Galgael to produce Cardonald man Jim McConkey's alarmed lock.

It is understood GHA will order 500 of the devices, which emit a piercing alarm should the door they guard be forced.

GHA south area director Hazel Young said: "Jim's new safety alarm is something we are very interested in.

"The security of our tenants is always our top priority and we think this device could be another way of providing extra reassurance for vulnerable tenants to feel safe in their own home."

The 73-year-old, who has won two John Logie Baird awards for innovation, has produced and installed 135 of the locks free of charge over the past three years.

He was hailed as a hero last month by the niece of two elderly sisters who were conned out of their life savings.

After reading of the heartless crime in The Glaswegian, Jim got in touch with the sisters and installed one of his locks.

Jim said: "The elderly are terrified to open their own doors and I just want to help them "We've all got to take individual responsibility and help each other out."

Galgael, a charity who offer craftwork as therapy for recovering addicts and the unemployed, will produce the locks. Training

manager Martin Hughes said: "We're very happy to see local people succeed.

"The product is ideal and will help give people peace of mind. This order is a validation of Jim's hard work.

"I have no doubt there's still a great deal more interest to come."

Housing associations and police forces across the UK have expressed an interest in his design and the product has seen trials in Wolverhampton Local councillor Alistair Watson said: "Jim is one of Glasgow's hidden gems, as good as any of the people you see on Dragon's Den.

"His objective of making life safer for the elderly is an admirable one.

"It's a credit to Jim that the GHA are looking to implement his device widely."