The Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973

2.—(1) A safe or cabinet shall be constructed of—

(a) pressed and welded sheet steel; or

(b) pressed and welded steel mesh; or

(c) sheet steel or steel mesh welded upon an angle-iron frame of at least 25 millimetres (1 inch) by 25 millimetres (1 inch) section and of at least 5 millimetres (3/16 inch) thickness.

(2) The clearance between the door and jamb or, in the case of a two-leaf door, between the two leaves or each leaf and a central pillar shall not be greater than 3 millimetres (⅛ inch).

(3) Each door shall be fitted with an effective lock—

(a) having at least 5 differing levers or, in the case of a pin and tumbler mechanism, at least 6 pins;

(b) designed to permit at least 1000 effective key-differs independent of wards or any other fixed obstruction to the movement of the key; and

(c) provided with a dead-bolt which is either of mild steel of at least 19 millimetres (¼ inch) by 8 millimetres (5/16 inch) section or incorporates a suitable anti-cutting device and which has a total throw of at least 12 millimetres (½ inch).

(4) If the length of the vertical closing edge of a door exceeds 914 millimetres (3 feet) and the length of the horizontal edge exceeds 457 millimetres (18 inches) the door shall be fitted with two such locks as are specified in sub-paragraph (3) above, one situated at not more than one third of the length of the vertical closing edge from the top and the other at not more than one third from the bottom, but otherwise the lock required by sub-paragraph (3) above shall be situated in the centre of the vertical closing edge.

(5) If a safe or cabinet is fitted with a two-leaf door, either—

(a) the lock or locks required by sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) above shall be fitted with an integrated espagnolette bolt which is of at least 19 millimetres (¾ inch) by 8 millimetres (5/16 inch) section and which has a total throw, at both the top and bottom, of at least 12 millimetres (½ inch); or

(b) the second opening leaf shall be secured at the top and bottom by means of internal bolts of mild steel of at least 6 millimetres (¼ inch) by 6 millimetres (¼ inch) section or 6 millimetres (¼ inch) diameter, each of which has a total throw of at least 12 millimetres (½ inch), the bolt handles being returnable into a holding recess.

(6) A safe or cabinet shall be rigidly and securely fixed to a wall or floor by means of at least two rag-bolts each passing through an internal anchor plate of mild steel which is of at least 3 millimetres (⅛ inch) thickness and which has a surface area of at least 19355 square millimetres (30 square inches).

(7) Nothing shall be displayed outside a safe or cabinet to indicate that drugs are kept inside it.