A documented history of Jeff Scott’s relationship with Chris Batterbee and Locks 4 Vans, including ifitstuff promotion, product feedback, trade interviews and tens of thousands of locks supplied and fitted.
My relationship with Locks 4 Vans began through ifitstuff in 2007 and continues today. Sussex Installations remains an approved installer and continues to supply and professionally fit large numbers of Locks 4 Vans deadlocks and slamlocks.
The figures are informed estimates based on historical purchasing and installation records. Approximately 91% were professionally fitted by Sussex Installations and around 9% supplied for customers to install themselves.
Chris was both an industry colleague and a friend. I spoke with him many times as my personal point of contact at Locks 4 Vans, discussing product feedback, installation techniques and ideas for improving van security. I also travelled to the Locks 4 Vans premises in Gravesend several times for face-to-face meetings.
I always had great admiration for Chris’s work in the van lock / vehicle aftermarket industry and for the Locks 4 Vans business that he built. I was deeply saddened by his passing in 2023.
On 19 June 2007 I opened a dedicated forum topic introducing Chris and the Locks 4 Vans team. I explained that they supported rather than competed with professional installers, produced vehicle-specific van deadlock and slamlock kits with instructions, welcomed feedback and provided strong technical support.
“They are leading the way in the market developing great fitting techniques and selling door make / model specific kits which are a cracking bit of kit.”
Chris replied directly, explaining that Locks 4 Vans did not sell to the public or undertake commercial installations because the company’s policy was to support the trade.
Through ifitstuff and video I helped present Locks 4 Vans products to professional installers. This included trade-stand coverage, product demonstrations, an Ultimate Lock attack-test video editing of existing footage and interviews with Andrew Dunley, who was a director of Locks 4 Vans at the time.
Open the original video directly on YouTube →
Open the original video directly on YouTube →
Open the original video directly on YouTube →
The relationship was not simply promotional. ifitstuff gave installers and the manufacturer a place to discuss practical fitting problems. In the 2008 deadlock-tools discussion, Chris outlined the methods accepted at that time while I documented my move towards a compressor and air saw for more controlled work on double-skinned doors.
That combination—respect for the manufacturer, honest practical feedback and a strong desire to improve fitting standards—characterised my relationship with Chris and Locks 4 Vans.
Sussex Installations continues to supply and fit Locks 4 Vans products. We also design and manufacture our own vehicle-specific shielding and offer complementary products from other suppliers, including TVL, when those products form part of the right security solution for the customer.
Our role is not to force every customer into products from one manufacturer. It is to understand the vehicle, the known attack methods and how the customer uses the van, then recommend the correct layers of protection without overselling.
These extracts are from genuine five-star Google reviews.
★★★★★"These guys really are excellent and deserve more reviews! Always quick to reply to emails. Genuine and prompt, I highly recommend them from my experience!"
Mohamed Abdallah · Google review, January 2022
★★★★★"I highly recommend Sussex Installations to anyone looking for the best quality products with outstanding knowledge of service and exceptional, honest and friendly customer service."
Albert Serwatka · Google review, February 2022
★★★★★"I spent many hours researching locks and the companies that supply and fit them. Without question, my research pointed strongly towards Sussex Installations. There is a real sense of pride and care in what they do."
WOODY · Google review, June 2021
Review wording has been lightly shortened for display without changing its meaning. Full reviews remain available on the Sussex Installations Google Business Profile.
Yes. Sussex Installations has fitted over 23,000 Locks 4 Vans deadlocks and slamlocks and remains an approved installer that continues to supply and professionally fit large numbers of Locks 4 Vans deadlocks and slamlocks. They are arguably the most experienced, respected and well known authorised Locks 4 Vans Deadlock and Slamlock dealers in the UK.
No. We manufacture our own vehicle-specific shielding and also offer complementary products from other suppliers, including TVL, when those products form part of the right security solution for a particular customer and vehicle.
The relationship between Sussex Installations and Locks 4 Vans began when directors Jeff Scott and Chris Batterbee met in 2007 at a trade show. Sussex Installations and Locks 4 Vans worked closely together from then with Jeff Scott recommending Locks 4 Vans to other professional installers through ifitstuff.com in 2007 and Chris being grateful for Jeff's recommendation of Locks 4 Vans.
